US Elections (& Politics) :)

[bigredfish]

We’ve been repeatedly promised that the government shutdown would result in government people being fired (not just furloughed) and entire government agencies would be gutted.

What’s up with that?

 

[bigredfish]

Welp I guess all is good then !

 

[Parley]

Trump Rescinds Export Restrictions on Guns Imposed by Biden Regime

AmmoLand ^ | September 30, 2025 | Dean Weingarten
Posted on 10/6/2025, 5:34:53 AM by marktwain

The second Trump administration has reversed the burdensome restrictions on the export of firearms and accessories imposed by the Biden administration in April 2024.

During the first Trump administration, the regulatory burden on the export of firearms and accessories was significantly reduced. Much of this was done by transferring the application for export process from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Department of State to the Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS). The BIS issued regulations to comply with the change.



On April 30, 2024, during the Biden administration, the BIS published an interim final rule. The interim final rule required new export license requirements on firearms, ammunition, and components. These restrictions were estimated to cost American manufacturers hundreds of millions of dollars in lost sales.

On September 30, 2025, the BIS in the second Trump administration issued a final rule that restored the regulatory scheme to that of the first Trump administration, effectively rescinding all the firearms export changes made by the Biden administration. The only change that was not rescinded was the change made in the administrative numbering system.​

From the Federal Register:


(Excerpt) Read more at ammoland.com ...

 

[Parley]

Trump Derangement Syndrome: Leftist Is Alarmed Prices at Costco Are Coming Down
Few social media sites are as big a swamp as Reddit.

Leftists use the platform to call for attacks on ICE facilities and agents, and the site is populated by lunatics who think January 6 is worse than 9/11 and the Holocaust.

They are driven by a deep hatred of President Trump and conservatism, which is why one Reddit user is upset that prices at Costco are coming down.

No, really.

[snip]

The post reads:

Costco is quietly slashing prices. This feels wrong.

I go to costco every week. it’s probably the only thing i do consistently. i’ve been doing it for years, i know how the prices move. lately? everything’s discounted. i’m not talking promo tags or little manufacturer markdowns — i mean whole shelves of items dropped 20–40%. across categories. not seasonal either.

this isn’t normal. prices are supposed to be going up with tariffs, inflation, shipping costs, whatever. instead they’re dumping inventory. aggressively. either demand is collapsing or something upstream is forcing their hand.

it just doesn’t make sense. it feels off. maybe i’m overreacting, but i’ve never seen price drops like this since i started going. if this is what it looks like at costco — the most stable, boring, buy-in-bulk fortress of consumerism — then i don’t really want to know what’s coming next.

maybe it’s nothing. but probably not.

(Excerpt) Read more at townhall.com ...

 

[bigredfish]

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/09/11/inflation-breakdown-for-august-2025.html?msockid=34e70ee60a256c472a25189b0b6d6de9

Here's the inflation breakdown for August 2025 — in one chart​

These are some of the core categories, plus other items with notable year-over-year price changes.
The horizontal bars show notable year-over-year percent changes in prices for various consumer categories from the consumer price index for August 2025.

Roasted coffee	21.7% 21.7% 21.7%​
Uncooked beef steaks	16.6% 16.6% 16.6%​
Eggs	10.9% 10.9% 10.9%​
Apples	9.6% 9.6% 9.6%​
Candy + chewing gum	8.1% 8.1% 8.1%​
BaconIncluding related products	7.2% 7.2% 7.2%​
Frozen noncarbonated juices + drinks	7.1% 7.1% 7.1%​
Frozen fish + seafood	6.7% 6.7% 6.7%​
Bananas	6.6% 6.6% 6.6%​
OrangesIncluding tangerines	5.2% 5.2% 5.2%​
Canned fruits	4.3% 4.3% 4.3%​
Fresh + frozen chicken parts	4.2% 4.2% 4.2%​
Full service meals + snacks	4.6% 4.6% 4.6%​
Limited service meals + snacks	3.2% 3.2% 3.2%​
At employee sites + schools	5.8% 5.8% 5.8%​
Utility (piped) gas service	13.8% 13.8% 13.8%​
Electricity	6.2% 6.2% 6.2%​
Motor vehicle repair	15% 15% 15%​
Audio equipment	12.2% 12.2% 12.2%​
College textbooks	12.2% 12.2% 12.2%​
Living room, kitchen + dining roomFurniture	9.5% 9.5% 9.5%​
Delivery services	8.2% 8.2% 8.2%​
Cigarettes	7.7% 7.7% 7.7%​
Jewelry	6.9% 6.9% 6.9%​
Garbage + trash collection	6.5% 6.5% 6.5%​
Veterinarian services	6.4% 6.4% 6.4%​
Tax return preparation + other accounting fees	6.4% 6.4% 6.4%​
Women's dresses	6.2% 6.2% 6.2%​
Used cars + trucks	6% 6% 6%​
Indoor plants + flowers	5.9% 5.9% 5.9%​
Tools, hardware + supplies	5.8% 5.8% 5.8%​

Table with 2 columns and 38 rows. (column headers with buttons are sortable)
[th]Food at home (+2.7%)[/th] [th]Food away from home (+3.9%)[/th] [th]Energy (-1.6%)[/th] [th]All items less food + energy (+3.1%)[/th]

Note: Not seasonally adjusted
Table: Gabriel Cortes / CNBCSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Data as of Sept. 11, 2025

​

 

[jpc-s4]

I hope the Obamacare subsidies end. The Republic was not founded on providing "healthcare" to a certain segment of the population while taxing another segment to pay for it. Shame on anyone who believes this is just. Sounds like they should move to Canaduh or Planet Europe. I'd rather the focus be on cutting the cost of healthcare which is a fleecing of Americans by so many who have their hand in the cookie jar.

This, exactly. The government was created and exists to provide for the greater good, to handle things that cannot be feasibly done on an individual scale. This includes defense, roads, etc. Taking money from some people so they can give free shit to other people wasn't the purpose, despite how the left has been operating.

And enough of this "make healthcare a human right" bullshit. You cannot make something a "human right", as the definition is something that is innate in the human spirit being granted by the creator.

 

[gwminor48]

Trump Derangement Syndrome: Leftist Is Alarmed Prices at Costco Are Coming Down
Few social media sites are as big a swamp as Reddit.

Leftists use the platform to call for attacks on ICE facilities and agents, and the site is populated by lunatics who think January 6 is worse than 9/11 and the Holocaust.

They are driven by a deep hatred of President Trump and conservatism, which is why one Reddit user is upset that prices at Costco are coming down.

No, really.

[snip]

The post reads:

Costco is quietly slashing prices. This feels wrong.

I go to costco every week. it’s probably the only thing i do consistently. i’ve been doing it for years, i know how the prices move. lately? everything’s discounted. i’m not talking promo tags or little manufacturer markdowns — i mean whole shelves of items dropped 20–40%. across categories. not seasonal either.

this isn’t normal. prices are supposed to be going up with tariffs, inflation, shipping costs, whatever. instead they’re dumping inventory. aggressively. either demand is collapsing or something upstream is forcing their hand.

it just doesn’t make sense. it feels off. maybe i’m overreacting, but i’ve never seen price drops like this since i started going. if this is what it looks like at costco — the most stable, boring, buy-in-bulk fortress of consumerism — then i don’t really want to know what’s coming next.

maybe it’s nothing. but probably not.

(Excerpt) Read more at townhall.com ...

 

[Oceanslider]

 

[bigredfish]

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/09/11/inflation-breakdown-for-august-2025.html?msockid=34e70ee60a256c472a25189b0b6d6de9

Here's the inflation breakdown for August 2025 — in one chart​

These are some of the core categories, plus other items with notable year-over-year price changes.
The horizontal bars show notable year-over-year percent changes in prices for various consumer categories from the consumer price index for August 2025.

Roasted coffee	21.7% 21.7% 21.7%​
Uncooked beef steaks	16.6% 16.6% 16.6%​
Eggs	10.9% 10.9% 10.9%​
Apples	9.6% 9.6% 9.6%​
Candy + chewing gum	8.1% 8.1% 8.1%​
BaconIncluding related products	7.2% 7.2% 7.2%​
Frozen noncarbonated juices + drinks	7.1% 7.1% 7.1%​
Frozen fish + seafood	6.7% 6.7% 6.7%​
Bananas	6.6% 6.6% 6.6%​
OrangesIncluding tangerines	5.2% 5.2% 5.2%​
Canned fruits	4.3% 4.3% 4.3%​
Fresh + frozen chicken parts	4.2% 4.2% 4.2%​
Full service meals + snacks	4.6% 4.6% 4.6%​
Limited service meals + snacks	3.2% 3.2% 3.2%​
At employee sites + schools	5.8% 5.8% 5.8%​
Utility (piped) gas service	13.8% 13.8% 13.8%​
Electricity	6.2% 6.2% 6.2%​
Motor vehicle repair	15% 15% 15%​
Audio equipment	12.2% 12.2% 12.2%​
College textbooks	12.2% 12.2% 12.2%​
Living room, kitchen + dining roomFurniture	9.5% 9.5% 9.5%​
Delivery services	8.2% 8.2% 8.2%​
Cigarettes	7.7% 7.7% 7.7%​
Jewelry	6.9% 6.9% 6.9%​
Garbage + trash collection	6.5% 6.5% 6.5%​
Veterinarian services	6.4% 6.4% 6.4%​
Tax return preparation + other accounting fees	6.4% 6.4% 6.4%​
Women's dresses	6.2% 6.2% 6.2%​
Used cars + trucks	6% 6% 6%​
Indoor plants + flowers	5.9% 5.9% 5.9%​
Tools, hardware + supplies	5.8% 5.8% 5.8%​

Table with 2 columns and 38 rows. (column headers with buttons are sortable)
[th]Food at home (+2.7%)[/th] [th]Food away from home (+3.9%)[/th] [th]Energy (-1.6%)[/th] [th]All items less food + energy (+3.1%)[/th]
Note: Not seasonally adjusted
Table: Gabriel Cortes / CNBCSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Data as of Sept. 11, 2025

​

See above

 

[bigredfish]

This, exactly. The government was created and exists to provide for the greater good, to handle things that cannot be feasibly done on an individual scale. This includes defense, roads, etc. Taking money from some people so they can give free shit to other people wasn't the purpose, despite how the left has been operating.

And enough of this "make healthcare a human right" bullshit. You cannot make something a "human right", as the definition is something that is innate in the human spirit being granted by the creator.

I’ll be the first to agree that entitlement spending should be curtailed, but the government should also quit spending $2 Trillion more than it takes in each year.

Along with say $20 Billion of your money just sent to Argentina this week and $40 Million each week still going to the Taliban, among other foreign aid, which of these should we shut down along with health care assistance?

*Im sure there are duplicates, it’s literally hundreds of programs, here’s some of the better known ones:

1. Food Assistance:

• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): Provides food benefits to low-income individuals and families to help them purchase nutritious food.
• Women, Infants, and Children (WIC): Offers nutritional support and education for pregnant women, new mothers, and young children.
• Emergency Food Assistance: Programs that provide food to those in need during crises.

1. Healthcare Programs:

• Medicaid: A state and federal program that provides health coverage for low-income individuals and families.
• Medicare: A federal health insurance program for people aged 65 and older, and for some younger individuals with disabilities.
• Affordable Care Act (ACA): Provides access to health insurance through state and federal marketplaces.

1. Housing Assistance:

• Public Housing: Offers affordable housing options for low-income families.
• Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8): Provides rental assistance to help low-income families afford housing in the private market.
• Emergency Housing Assistance: Programs designed to prevent eviction and provide temporary housing solutions.

1. Financial Assistance:

• Social Security: Provides retirement, disability, and survivor benefits based on work history and contributions to Social Security.
• Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF): Offers financial assistance and support services to low-income families with children.
• Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP): Helps low-income households pay for heating and cooling costs.

1. Veterans Benefits:

• VA Disability Compensation: Financial support for veterans with service-related disabilities.
• Education Benefits: Programs like the GI Bill that provide financial assistance for education and training.

Healthcare and Medical Assistance​

Healthcare programs remain among the most sought-after benefits. These include:

• Medicaid: Health coverage for eligible low-income adults, children, pregnant women, elderly adults, and people with disabilities
• Medicare: Health insurance for people 65 or older, certain younger people with disabilities, and people with End-Stage Renal Disease
• Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP): Low-cost health coverage for children in families that earn too much money to qualify for Medicaid but too little to afford private insurance
• Health Insurance Marketplace: A service that helps people shop for and enroll in affordable health insurance

Housing and Utility Assistance​

Stable housing is fundamental to well-being, and several programs help make it accessible:

• Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8): Assists very low-income families, the elderly, and those with disabilities to afford housing in the private market
• Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP): Helps eligible households with their home energy bills
• Weatherization Assistance Program: Reduces energy costs for low-income households by increasing energy efficiency
• Public Housing: Affordable rental housing for eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities

Food and Nutrition Programs​

Programs ensuring food security include:

• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): Formerly known as Food Stamps, provides nutrition benefits to supplement the food budget of families
• Women, Infants, and Children (WIC): Provides federal grants to states for supplemental foods, healthcare referrals, and nutrition education for low-income pregnant women, new mothers, and children up to age five
• National School Lunch Program: Provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to children in public and nonprofit private schools
• Commodity Supplemental Food Program: Supplements the diets of low-income elderly persons with nutritious foods

Financial Assistance and Income Support​

When finances are strained, these programs can provide critical support:

• Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF): Provides financial assistance and support services to assist families with children
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI): Designed to help aged, blind, and disabled people who have little or no income
• Unemployment Insurance: Provides unemployment benefits to eligible workers who become unemployed through no fault of their own
• Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC): A tax credit for certain people who work and have earned income under a specified amount

Education and Training Benefits​

Education opens doors to opportunities, and these programs help make it accessible:

• Federal Student Aid: Grants, loans, and work-study funds for college or career school
• GI Bill: Education benefits for veterans, service members, and their families
• Head Start: Promotes school readiness for children from low-income families
• Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Programs: Helps job seekers access employment, education, training, and support services

Veterans Benefits​

Those who have served our country can access specialized programs:

• VA Health Care: Comprehensive healthcare services for veterans
• VA Disability Compensation: Financial compensation for veterans with disabilities from service-related injuries or diseases
• VA Pension: Needs-based benefit for wartime veterans who are 65 or older or have a permanent and total non-service-connected disability
• VA Home Loans: Helps veterans, service members, and eligible surviving spouses become homeowners

Disaster Relief​

When disasters strike, these programs offer critical assistance:

• FEMA Individual Disaster Assistance: Financial or direct assistance to individuals and families whose property has been damaged or destroyed by a disaster
• Disaster Unemployment Assistance: Provides financial assistance to individuals whose employment has been lost or interrupted as a direct result of a major disaster
• Small Business Administration Disaster Loans: Low-interest loans to businesses, nonprofit organizations, homeowners, and renters to repair or replace real estate, personal property, machinery and equipment, and inventory damaged or destroyed in a declared disaster

1. Family Planning
2. Consolidated Health Centers
3. Transitional Cash and Medical Services for Refugees
4. State Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
5. Voluntary Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit — Low Income Subsidy
6. Medicaid
7. Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program
8. Breast/Cervical Cancer Early Detection
9. Maternal and Child Health Block Grant
10. Indian Health Service
11. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
12. Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
13. Additional Child Tax Credit
14. Earned Income Tax Credit (refundable component)
15. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
16. School Breakfast Program (free/reduced price components)
17. National School Lunch Program(free/reduced price components)
18. Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC)
19. Early Reading First
20. Rural Education Achievement Program
21. Mathematics and Science Partnerships
22. Improving Teacher Quality State Grants
23. Academic Competitiveness and Smart Grant Program
24. Single-Family Rural Housing Loans
25. Rural Rental Assistance Program
26. Water and Waste Disposal for Rural Communities
27. Public Works and Economic Development
28. Supportive Housing for the Elderly
29. Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities
30. Section 8 Project-Based Rental Assistance
31. Community Development Block Grants
32. Homeless Assistance Grants
33. Home Investment Partnerships Program (HOME)
34. Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA)
35. Public Housing
36. Indian Housing Block Grants
37. Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers
38. Neighborhood Stabilization Program
39. Weatherization Assistance Program
40. Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
41. Food Program Nutrition Assistance for Puerto Rico
42. The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)
43. Nutrition Program for the Elderly
44. Child and Adult Care Food Program
45. Summer Food Service Program
46. Indian Education
47. Adult Basic Education Grants to States
48. Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant
49. Education for the Disadvantaged
50. Grants to Local Educational Agencies (Title I-A)
51. Title I Migrant Education Program
52. Higher Education — Institutional Aid and Developing Institutions
53. Federal Work-Study
54. Federal TRIO Programs
55. Federal Pell Grant
56. Education for Homeless Children and Youth
57. 21st Century Community Learning Centers
58. Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR-UP)
59. Child Support Enforcement
60. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) (social services)
61. Community Services Block Grant
62. Child Care and Development Fund
63. Head Start HHS
64. Developmental Disabilities Support and Advocacy Grants
65. Foster Care
66. Adoption Assistance
67. Social Services Block Grant
68. Chafee Foster Care Independence Program
69. Emergency Food and Shelter Program
70. Legal Services Corporation
71. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) (employment and training component)
72. Senior Community Service Employment Program
73. Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Adult Activities
74. Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Youth Activities
75. Social Services and Targeted Assistance for Refugees
76. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) (employment and training)
77. Foster Grandparents
78. Job Corps
79. Grants to States for Low-Income Housing in Lieu of Low-Income Housing Credit Allocations
80. Tax Credit Assistance Program
81. Older Americans Act Grants for Supportive Services and Senior Centers
82. Older Americans Act Family Caregiver Program

 

[bigredfish]

What about government grants?

Government Grants 2025/2026

Portal for government grants and funding opportunities in the United States. Application information and resources.

www.usgrants.org

A Comprehensive Guide to Government Grants in 2025 – Financial Resource Helper