Team work

The best ways to grow the economy is using the private sector helped by government. This means lowering taxes on individuals to increase consumption and lower taxes on corporations to encourage investment. The government can reduce spending to keep inflation under control and lower interest rates to promote business expansion. The government can keep regulations at a minimum to allow for new business developments. The government can set trade policies that encourage foreign investments. The government investment in new military equipment can lead to new products for industry to develop. Many innovations in NASA have led to new private industries. Government investment in the National Institute of Health (NIA) can provide aid to private medical firms in the development of new products and treatments. In other words, the government can be an effective junior partner to business. The government can take the lead in developing long range infrastructure programs and private companies can do the construction. This team approach with the help of AI will provide new high paying jobs for all groups.

Spending

Can the government bring down the high cost of living by spending money? According to Chat GPT the government can do this by subsidizing things like food, fuel, electricity, public transportation and healthcare. Here is a quote from democratic house leader Jeffries: This administration somehow found the resources, has found billions of dollars for bombs but can't find any money to actually bring down the high cost of living here in the United States of America," Jeffries said. Economist say that too much government spending is one of the main causes of inflation. Putting subsidies in the hands of consumers, increases the demand for goods and that drives up prices. The key is too much. Many politicians think they can increase spending just the right amount, so as to not increase inflation. During the Biden years the spending was too much too fast and inflation spiked to nine percent. As far as Jeffries remarks go, so far, the government spending on the war has been part of the Pentagon budget and will not cause inflation. If that is surpassed and the government starts to borrow to cover the war cost, then inflation will rise. One way to accomplish what Jeffries is suggesting is to move money from defense spending to social spending, what is called in Econ 101, spending on butter rather than guns. This can be done in next years budget but not in this year’s, which has already been set.

Promise grants

The is an organization called Minnesota Promise Grants that has $100 million dollars to award to small businesses with assets under $750,000. The awards can be up to $50,000. The funds are allocated by the MN Department of Employment and Economic Development. Among the recipients are about 100 sole proprietors. The names of these people have raised some questions. There are 12 with the first name Abdi, another dozen with the name Ahmed and another dozen of Ali’s. About 90% of the sole proprietors have Somali names. With the recent discoveries of fraud within the MN programs these names raise suspicions.

Gays

Are there certain groups in the US who might consider celebrating but are silent, for example LGBTQ. Here is a quote from Google AI. Homosexuals are not treated fairly in Iran and face severe discrimination, persecution, and legal punishment. Under Iran's penal code, same-sex sexual acts are illegal and can be punished with imprisonment, corporal punishment, and even the death penalty. The government is considered one of the most discriminatory in the world against LGBTQ individuals What about Christians. Here from Google AI. Christianity is permitted in Iran only for recognized ethnic minorities (Armenians, Assyrians) but is heavily restricted, with conversion from Islam strictly forbidden. While historic churches can operate, they face surveillance and are banned from using Persian. Converts to Christianity and house churches face imprisonment and persecution. How about Blacks. Google AI. Black individuals in Iran, including Afro-Iranians, often face discrimination, marginalization, and a lack of dignity, with reports of constant scrutiny regarding their race.

War in Iran

It is interesting to watch the reactions from different group around the world in regards to the action in Iran. Many in the US, especially the democrats are immediately opposed to any thing that Trump does but others who are less influenced by US politics have varying opinions. The loudest voices are coming from those who are celebrating the demise of Khamenei led by those who live in Iran. European countries on Saturday said this was not their fight but by Monday they praised the action. The EU leadership sees this as a positive but the UN leader does not. Most individuals will wait and see which way the wind blows and then jump on that bandwagon

Israel

While the UN occasionally is critical of the human rights abuses in North Korea, it rarely makes national news. Things are different when it comes to Israel. From 2006 to 2023 the UN Human Rights Council adoped103 resolutions targeting Israel, representing 37% of all country-specific resolutions passed. Out of 193 countries in the UN the Jews are targeted 37% of the time. These two countries differ in many ways and one outstanding difference is in the contributions made to the world. Life in North Korea is akin to living in prison while Jews live in freedom. North Korea has never won a Nobel prize but Israel has won 37% of all chemistry prizes, 56% of all physics, 61% in Medicine and 9% of Peace prizes despite the fact that Jews represent only .2% of the world’s population.

Dealing with uprisings

During the Biden administration, the people of Iran protested in the streets over the death of Mahsa Amini triggered by the uprising over the “Woman, Life, Freedom” revolt. The people objected to the treatment of women by the government. The Biden administration faced significant criticism for its response to the 2022 uprising in Iran, with critics arguing that the administration did not take enough direct action to support protesters and continued to prioritize efforts to revive the Iran nuclear deal In todays uprising, Trump is roundly criticized for taking action. Many agree he should do something but not what he is doing.