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Blue Press Journal – The American dream of owning a new car has become increasingly elusive, particularly for modest-income buyers. According to Kelley Blue Book, the average transaction price of a new car has surpassed $50,000 for the first time in history, marking a 4% increase from the same period last year. This staggering rise is largely attributed to the Trump administration’s tariffs and economic policies, which have priced out lower-income families from the market.
CNN analyst Matt Egan succinctly captured the gravity of the situation, stating, “Prepare yourself because it’s literally never been more expensive to buy a new car.” The demise of affordable cars, particularly those priced around $20,000, has been accelerated by the Republican economy. Egan noted, “The $20,000 cars have basically gone extinct.” Car manufacturers have shifted their focus towards producing higher-margin, more expensive vehicles, catering to affluent buyers who are still able to purchase new cars.
The primary factor driving this trend is the demographics of car buyers. Wealthier individuals are increasing the demand for luxury vehicles, while lower-income families are compelled to opt for used cars or forgo their plans to purchase a vehicle. This disparity stems from the Trump administration’s economic policies, which have disproportionately impacted modest-income households. As Egan noted, “Lower-income families are not buying cars right now because they’re struggling to get by with the Trump and Republican economy.”
The consequences of these policies are far-reaching, pricing many Americans out of the new car market. The lack of affordable options impacts individual consumers and the broader economy. As the wealth gap widens, it’s essential to reevaluate the economic policies behind this crisis. Record-high new car prices highlight the need for a more inclusive economic approach that prioritizes all Americans, not just the affluent few.
Blue Press Journal – In a blistering rebuke, former President Barack Obama lambasted institutions and businesses for caving to the demands of the Trump administration, urging them to stand firm in their principles. Obama’s message was clear: “ride this out” and refuse to compromise on values and integrity.
“For example, if you’re a university president, you should say, ‘We’re not going to compromise our academic independence, no matter what,’” Obama said. “And if you’re a business, you should say, ‘We’re committed to hiring people from diverse backgrounds, and we won’t be bullied into doing otherwise.’”
Obama’s words come as some of Trump’s notable “deals” appear to be unraveling. Several law firms that had signed agreements with Trump have since realized that these deals are unenforceable and have refused to comply with his demands. This development is a significant blow to Trump’s efforts to exert control over businesses and institutions.
Obama’s critique is a timely reminder that institutions and businesses have a responsibility to uphold their values and principles, even in the face of pressure from those in power. By standing firm, they can help to protect the integrity of their organizations and promote a more just and equitable society.
As the Trump administration pushes its agenda, Obama’s message calls on businesses and institutions to remain committed to their values. Will they heed his warning and “ride this out,” or continue to cave to pressure? Only time will tell. One thing is certain: Obama’s words will resonate with those concerned about the erosion of values in the face of political pressure.
Blue Press Journal – In a surprising turn of events, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) has found herself at odds with her own party on several key issues, leaving fellow Republicans puzzled and frustrated. Despite her insistence that she remains unchanged, Greene’s recent positions on topics such as Jeffrey Epstein and healthcare subsidies have put her on a collision course with the very party she was once a fierce defender of.
Greene’s political identity was shaped by Trump loyalism, consistently defending the former president and attacking Democrats. Recently, however, she has taken stances that contradict both the president and her party, such as signing a discharge petition to release files on sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, despite White House opposition, raising eyebrows among colleagues.
Greene’s comments onthe expiration of ObamaCare tax credits, which could double insurance premiums for millions, have put her at odds with GOP leaders. While her party focuses on shutdown messaging, she has expressed alarm at the absence of a Republican plan to address the issue. “I’m sick and tired of Republicans in Congress not doing what they promised,” she lamented.
Greene’s claim of being “100 percent the same person” as during her initial congressional run seems disingenuous due to her recent position shifts. Her earlier criticism of congressional Republicans on healthcare has turned into a rebellion against her party’s leadership. It is “ridiculous” to assert her positions haven’t isolated her within the GOP, as she suggests.
Expert analysis suggests that Greene’s actions may be a calculated attempt to rebrand herself as a champion of populist causes, rather than a loyal Republican. However, this strategy may backfire, as party leadership grows exasperated with her antics. In a post-Trump era, Greene’s unpredictability and defiance of party orthodoxy could become a liability.
Blue Press Journal – As the United States grapples with the implications of an increasingly powerful executive branch, a top aide to President Donald Trump has emerged as a key figure in the administration’s push for autocrat-like powers. Stephen Miller, a senior advisor to the President, has been making headlines with his inflammatory rhetoric and blatant misrepresentations of the law. His statements have sparked concerns about the erosion of democratic norms and the concentration of power in the hands of the President.
Miller’s recent comments have been particularly striking. He has accused federal judges, including those appointed by Republican presidents, of participating in a “judicial coup.” He has also labeled the opposition Democratic Party a “domestic extremist organization” and protesters in U.S. cities “terrorists.” These statements are not only incendiary but also demonstrate a profound disregard for the principles of democracy and the rule of law.
According to a former Heritage Foundation staffer, Miller’s comments are part of a larger plan to consolidate power and undermine checks and balances. “Project 2025 was, at its core, an aspiration to provide Trump plenary power to gut checks and balances, consolidate control over all aspects of the federal government and entrench power for the long term,” she said. “It was written on paper and Stephen Miller is saying it out loud.”
Miller’s claims about the law are often at odds with reality. For example, he has repeatedly misstated federal asylum law, claiming that asylum seekers must seek safety in the first country they visit after leaving their home country. This is not true. U.S. law permits asylum seekers to seek sanctuary upon arrival, regardless of how they arrived or the countries they passed through.
Moreover, Miller has a tendency to distort facts to suit his narrative. After the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled against Trump’s unlawful deportation of a migrant to a prison in El Salvador where torture is common, Miller claimed that the decision was actually in Trump’s favor. “That’s what the Supreme Court held, by the way,” he lied. “We won a case 9-0.” This blatant misrepresentation of the truth is a stark example of the administration’s willingness to manipulate facts to justify its actions.
Miller has also falsely claimed that Trump won the last presidential election in a “colossal landslide.” In fact, Trump failed to win a majority of the votes cast and defeated his opponent by just 1.5%, one of the smallest popular vote margins in modern times. This distortion of reality is a clear attempt to create a false narrative about the President’s mandate and popularity.
As the administration continues to push the boundaries of executive power, Miller’s comments and actions have become increasingly concerning. His rhetoric has emboldened Trump to take more aggressive actions, including summary killings of individuals in the Caribbean, which he and Miller have designated as “terrorists.”
In a democratic system, the rule of law and the separation of powers are essential checks on the abuse of power. However, with Miller by his side, Trump seems determined to undermine these principles and consolidate his power. As the former Heritage Foundation staffer noted, “It was written on paper and Stephen Miller is saying it out loud.” The implications of this are chilling, and it is essential that Americans remain vigilant and demand that their leaders respect the Constitution and the principles of democracy.
As Miller’s comments highlight, the threat to democracy involves not just Trump’s actions but also the underlying ideology and rhetoric. Inflammatory language, distorted facts, and contempt for the law indicate an authoritarian mindset. Americans must recognize this danger and demand that leaders uphold democracy and the rule of law.
Stephen Miller’s comments and actions remind us of the threat to democracy from the Trump administration. His inflammatory rhetoric and disregard for the law are part of a plan to consolidate power and undermine checks and balances. We must remain vigilant and demand respect for the Constitution and democratic principles, as the future of our democracy depends on it.
Blue Press Journal – President Donald Trump is set to undergo his second “routine yearly check up” at Walter Reed Medical Center in just six months. The White House announced the visit on Wednesday, fueling concerns about the president’s health and his lack of transparency regarding his medical records.
This latest development comes on the heels of a tumultuous month, during which Trump’s public appearances have been scarce, and he has been spotted with considerable bruising on his hands. Vice President JD Vance’s recent comments about being prepared to assume the presidency “if God forbid, there’s a terrible tragedy” with Trump have only added to the speculation surrounding the president’s health.
Despite promises to release his medical records during the 2024 election, Trump has failed to do so, leaving many to wonder what he may be hiding. The White House has confirmed that Trump was diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency in July, but the condition’s “benign and common” nature has done little to alleviate concerns about the president’s overall health.
Democratic opponents have been vocal about their concerns, pointing to Trump’s erratic behavior and unwieldy press conferences as evidence of potential cognitive decline. The president has repeatedly brushed off questions about his mental acuity, but the lack of transparency regarding his medical records has only served to heighten suspicions.
The fact that Trump is undergoing his second “yearly” check up in six months raises serious questions about the accuracy of the White House’s characterizations of his health. The American people have a right to know about the health and well-being of their president, and Trump’s failure to release his medical records is a clear breach of that trust.
Blue Press Journal – A growing number of Republican senators are voicing concerns over President Trump’s decision to deploy National Guard troops from other states to Portland, Oregon, and Chicago, despite opposition from the Democratic governors of those states. The move has escalated tensions between federal and state authorities, with many lawmakers warning of a dangerous precedent.
The conflict reached a boiling point over the weekend when Trump announced plans to send National Guard soldiers to Oregon and Illinois, defying the objections of Governors Tina Kotek and JB Pritzker. The decision was all the more contentious given a federal judge’s ruling on Saturday that the administration could not federalize Oregon’s National Guard to support Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in Portland.
Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) expressed his worries about the potential consequences of Trump’s actions, saying, “I worry about someday a Democrat president sending troops or National Guard from New York, California, Oregon, Washington state to North Carolina. I think it’s bad precedent.” He added that the move contradicts conservative views on states’ rights, stating, “If you look at this particular issue, I don’t see how you can argue that this comports with any sort of conservative view of states’ rights.”
Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) also voiced her concerns, stating that she is “worried about the precedent of sending National Guard members from one state to another despite the objections of those states’ governors.” She emphasized that the use of the National Guard to respond to natural disasters, when requested by a governor, is a common and acceptable practice. However, she warned that Trump’s actions are crossing a dangerous line, saying, “I am concerned, I am very apprehensive about the use of our military for policing and, more, the politicization that we’re seeing within the military.”
The growing unease among Republican senators reflects concern about the erosion of states’ rights and potential power abuses. As the situation unfolds, the resolution and its implications for federal-state relations remain uncertain. Trump’s decision to deploy National Guard troops without state governors’ consent has ignited a debate about executive power limits and the need to preserve states’ rights.
Blue Press Journal – In a shocking display of politicized justice, former FBI Director James Comey pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to charges of lying to Congress. The case against Comey, a longtime thorn in the side of President Donald Trump, is widely seen as a vindictive attempt to silence a prominent critic.
Comey’s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election and possible collusion with the Trump campaign sparked the president’s ire, making him a target of Trump’s wrath. The charges against Comey allege that he lied about authorizing a leak to news outlets, although the details of the leak and the outlets involved remain unclear. Ironically, the leak is believed to be related to the FBI probe into former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s private email server, a controversy that Trump exploited during the 2016 campaign.
The prosecution of Comey raises serious concerns about the politicization of the Justice Department and the erosion of democratic norms. The fact that U.S. Attorney Erik Siebert was forced out of his position after expressing doubts about the strength of the case against Comey suggests that the Justice Department is more interested in serving Trump’s personal interests than in upholding the law.
Furthermore, the appointment of White House adviser Lindsey Halligan, who has no prior experience as a prosecutor, to replace Siebert is a clear indication that the Trump administration is seeking to stack the deck against Comey. This blatant attempt to manipulate the justice system undermines the integrity of the legal process and threatens the independence of law enforcement.
The charges against Comey remind us of the dangers of authoritarianism and the need to protect law enforcement independence. As the case unfolds, we must remember that the rule of law is vital to democracy, and no one, not even the president, is above it. The prosecution of James Comey tests the Justice Department’s commitment to impartiality and threatens the foundations of American democracy.
Blue Press Journal – In a scathing op-ed published on Sunday, the Wall Street Journal’s editorial boardblasted President Trump’s tariff policy, calling it a “self-destructive tariff folly” that is harming American farmers and businesses. The editorial comes on the heels of reports that the Trump administration is planning a $10 billion bailout for America’s soybean farmers, who have been severely impacted by China’s decision to stop buying American soybeans in retaliation for Trump’s tariffs.
The editorial board argued that the bailout is a clear indication that Trump’s tariff policy is not working as the president claims it is. “You knew it was coming,” the editors wrote. “As President Trump’s tariffs damage farmers and businesses across the U.S., the victims are besieging the Administration for relief. The long lines at the Commerce and Agriculture departments are the latest proof of self-destructive tariff folly.”
The editorial went on to point out that the looming bailout is a refutation of Trump’s claim that tariffs are cost-free. “They aren’t if, like soybean growers, you are the target of retaliation,” the editors wrote. “Mr. Trump likes to say that tariffs are a windfall for the Treasury, but not if much of that revenue is going back out the door in subsidies to offset the tariff harm.”
The Wall Street Journal criticized how tariffs are fostering new lobbying and special interest groups in Washington. “The farm fiasco underscores another truth about tariffs: they expand what Mr. Trump called ‘the swamp,’” the editorial stated. “Industries hit by tariffs are flocking to Washington to lobby for relief.”
The editorial emphasized that Trump’s tariff policy is detrimental to American farmers and businesses, urging the president to rethink his trade approach. With the soybean industry affected, it’s uncertain how the Trump administration will react and if it will reconsider its tariffs. One certainty is that the Wall Street Journal’s critique signals increasing opposition to Trump’s trade policies from the business community.
Blue Press Journal – The state of Illinois has filed a lawsuit to prevent President Donald Trump from deploying hundreds of federalized National Guard troops to the streets of Chicago. The lawsuit, filed on Monday, comes on the heels of a federal judge in Oregon temporarily blocking Trump’s administration from sending National Guard troops to police Portland.
The Trump administration’s decision to federalize up to 300 members of the Illinois National Guard, despite objections from Democratic Governor J.B. Pritzker, has been met with fierce resistance from state officials. The administration also plans to deploy an additional 400 troops from Texas to Chicago, sparking concerns about the potential for civil unrest and the erosion of local control.
This move reflects Trump’s pattern of deploying National Guard troops to cities like Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. He has promised to send troops to more cities, including Portland, despite local objections. This approach has faced criticism as an overreach of federal power and a threat to civil liberties.
The lawsuit filed by Illinois argues that the Trump administration’s actions are unconstitutional and violate the state’s sovereignty. Governor Pritzker has been vocal in his opposition to the deployment, stating that it is unnecessary and could lead to further instability in the city.
The situation in Chicago is tense, with protests against police brutality and systemic racism. The deployment of National Guard troops could escalate conflict. By filing this lawsuit, Illinois is taking a crucial step to protect its citizens’ rights and safety against Trump’s authoritarian tendencies.
Blue Press Journal – As the government shutdown continues, a pressing concern is being overlooked: the fate of Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits. Republicans in Congress have stubbornly refused to negotiate an extension of these crucial credits, claiming there is ample time to address the issue once the government is funded. However, this delay will have severe consequences for millions of Americans, who will soon face skyrocketing healthcare premiums.
The Clock is Ticking
With open enrollment for the ACA marketplace set to begin on November 1 in most states, premiums are being decided now. If Congress fails to act, many Americans will start feeling the pinch within weeks. In fact, some states, like Idaho, will begin their open enrollment period as early as October 15, just two weeks from now. “It’s really important to underscore that… So that’s two weeks from now,” said Devon Trolley, executive director of the Pennsylvania Health Insurance Exchange Authority.
The Human Cost
The consequences of inaction will be dire. Premiums could more than double if insurers believe the tax credits will be allowed to expire. This will disproportionately affect low- and middle-income families, who rely on these credits to afford healthcare. According to a recent analysis by the health policy nonprofit KFF, 77% of ACA market enrollees (18.7 million people) live in states won by President Trump in the 2024 election. These states have received more premium tax credits and seen more enrollment growth than others.
Bipartisan Support for Tax Credit Extension
The KFF survey also found that 78% of adults believe Congress should extend the enhanced tax credits for the ACA marketplace. This includes 92% of Democrats, 82% of independents, and 59% of Republicans. The numbers are clear: there is broad support for extending these tax credits, regardless of party affiliation.
Table: ACA Market Enrollees by State
State
Number of Enrollees
Percentage of Enrollees
Alabama
140,000
73%
Arizona
230,000
81%
Florida
1,900,000
85%
Georgia
430,000
79%
Texas
1,100,000
83%
The Blame Game
Democrats maintain that Republicans will be to blame for both the shutdown and the resulting hike in premiums. “Republicans would rather shut down the government than address a health care crisis that is threatening to shut down small businesses across the country,” said Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) in a briefing on Friday. “And because Republicans have refused to save the health care tax credits that millions of people rely on, health care costs are about to more than double for families across the country.”
The Real Motive
It’s clear that the Republican refusal to negotiate on the budget bill is a direct result of their desire to preserve massive tax breaks for billionaires and millionaires. By prioritizing the interests of the wealthy over those of everyday Americans, Republicans are putting millions of people at risk of losing access to affordable healthcare.
The clock is ticking, and the consequences of inaction will be severe. Republicans must set aside partisan games and work with Democrats to extend ACA tax credits. Millions of Americans depend on this. The KFF survey shows broad support for these tax credits, making it imperative for Congress to act to avoid a healthcare crisis. Will Republicans listen to the American people, or prioritize the wealthy?
Blue Press Journal 