Op-ed:

Economics + War = A Maybe Midterm Loss...Part 1

By Diane Sori / The Patriot Factor

This opinion piece is my opinion alone, and does not necessarily represent the views of blogspot.or google.com   

It is my opinion that we...as in we Republicans...are going to lose both the House and the Senate come November's midterm election. And it's not because, as many will claim, that history has shown more times than not that the sitting president's party does lose total control at midterm time, but that in this particular case it will be because of what I truly believe to be President Trump's misguided economic policies in relation to his promises made that still have not been kept (the crux of this article), and also his foreign policy blunders...blunders like the ever growing unpopularity of the war with Iran (the crux of next week's Part Two).

And so I begin on the economic front where Trump's failures can be seen almost daily in one of our nation's key economic indicators, as in the Stock Market. Exactly how so... because the Stock Market directly reflects what is known as “consumer confidence.” Simply, this means that when folks feel confident in how our nation's economy is trending...when what's called a “Bull Market” has taken hold...the American consumer does tend to spend more money which, in turn, boosts our nation's GDP...as in the “Gross Domestic Product”...a good thing indeed.

However, when the Stock Market enters into what's called a “Bear Market” phase consumers do tend to cutback on spending. Why so...because the Stock Market is then considered by most economists to be “unstable”...as in up one day, then down the next day... primarily do to how the market itself is being affected by fluctuating oil prices...which usually means a rise in "per barrel" oil prices. And when you couple that with rising interest rates, the midterms today surely do not look good for the Republican side of the aisle.

In fact, numerous leading economists here in the U.S...along with leading economists overseas...all seem to agree that the Stock Market will remain “unstable” until the Iran War is over...surely not good news on the economic front here at home. And when you couple that with the fact that while Donald Trump was a successful real estate builder and contractor...no one can or should deny that...when one is President of the United States one needs to actually know how to not only play the game of politics, but that the "business of the government” differs greatly from private sector business...private sector as in business for profit. 

And while Trump obviously did private sector business well and made lots of money doing so, his mistake was in thinking that he could use his private sector business knowledge and savvy, and actually just transfer it over into the “business of the government.” Sorry folks, but that is not how it works as witnessed by Trump's rise in tariffs levied against countries who have been long time U.S. friends, allies, and trading partners.

Remember, in Trump's attempt to bring down the national debt...I'll get into that in a bit...the countries seeing a raise in their tariffs had to raise the prices on the goods they sold to the U.S. simply to cover not only Trump's tariff increase itself, but in order to make even a marginal business profit as well. And who then became the unhappy recipients of a monetary increase in those countries goods...surely not our federal government...but we the American consumer. Not a smart move on Trump's part I'd say even with the national debt lowering being the reason given as to why he did what he did tariff wise.

Let me explain. First, one needs to know as fact that at the beginning of September 2026, the U.S. national debt was $40.10 trillion...the largest in United States history... with $32.42 trillion of it being held by “We the People. ” And technically this means that each and every one of us now owes a whopping  $119,713 to the federal government. Let that number sink in.

 

So how exactly does the federal government even start to begin to collect each of our individual share of those so much needed monies...simply through federal income and payroll taxes...which unfortunately always seem to go up...and which in turn the federal government uses to service interest payments, and then to fund necessary governmental operations.

But here is where it gets a bit sticky, as in can the national debt instead be remedied or even negated by what is simple “numbers shifting” on paper...remember “numbers shifting” is not uncommon on the federal government level no matter which party is in power. And “numbers shifting” is something I have always claimed could be done without the raising of tariffs while most thought me wrong...but as it turns out I was indeed right all along.

Let me again explain. While Trump choose to raise the tariff...he's no Regan after all...the fact is...and he had to know this or was told this...the raise in tariffs did not need to be done. Yet he went ahead and did it anyway, thus making numerous enemies of some of America's long time allies and friends (Canada for one), all while we consumers paid for the raise in tariffs every time we went grocery shopping or pumped gas. 

Simply, our president knowingly and willingly chose “We the People” to help in his paying down the national debt, and way too many American's pocketbooks are clearly still hurting because of this misguided action taken by “Mr. Art of the Deal”...taken because he clearly did not understand that the 'business of the government' is a completely different animal than private business dealings.

And by the way, since Trump first became president, when you add both of his terms in office together, to date this man has added a combined total of roughly $11.6 trillion to the national debt. Interesting indeed, and yet he still had the gall to add increasing the tariffs so that “We the People” would actually be paying for the tariffed countries having to increase the prices on their goods sold here in the U.S.

So now let me explain exactly how...with but two examples out of many...the aforementioned “paper shifting” to bring down the national debt actually could have been done minus Trump's need to raise tariffs which directly affects our pocketbooks every time we go shopping...something that now will most likely be remembered by many come November's midterm election. 

Simply, what is perfectly legal “paper shifting of numbers” could indeed have been done through what's known as “financial engineering, accounting revaluations,and strategic monetary adjustments”...all of which are fiscal and monetary techniques used by our and other governments to fund, optimize, and/or obscure the true cost of said government's spending...which if utilized correctly could have actually helped to bring down the national debt minus Trump's need for an increase in tariffs...which directly has negatively affected the American consumer...with no tax increases or government spending cuts needed as well.

Basically, and in simpler terms, what this process does is “shift numbers across balance sheets to erase obligations, engineer debt-free liquidity, and/or dilute what's refereed to as the debts structural weight.” Trump both as president and as a successful businessman should have known about this.

And then there's also this little piece of not talked about information. Trump could have well helped to lower the national debt not by going the tariff route, but by using what some American economists lovingly refer to as the “nuclear option”...which in this case means a “Gold Reserve Revaluation.”

And once again let me explain, and start with the fact... which most don't know...that the U.S. Treasury holds over 261 million "troy ounces"* of physical bars of gold

...mainly at Fort Knox...with said gold being listed on the government's books at the “historic, statutorily fixed rate” of just $42.22 per ounce, thus equaling roughly $11 billion in value. However, if the statutory price were to be upgraded to what is current market value...for example between $3,400 to $5,000+ per ounce...the Treasury would garner an on paper gain of between $850 billion to $1.3+ trillion.

So how exactly would that monetary gain actually help in the lowering of the ever increasing national debt? As per the “Gold Reserve Act of 1934,” the Treasury can issue what is called “gold certificates” to the Federal Reserve which would show what are the now upgraded gold value numbers, thus allowing for a legal shifting of the raised numerical credit to the Treasury itself, who in turn could then “paper shift” the now newest numerical values to the specific areas where they could help the most...like, for example, to help pay down the national debt. And it would do so without the need to increase tariffs, which as I explained earlier, actually puts the monetary burden on the American consumer, and not just on the countries whose tariffs were being raised.

But to be honest here I am not an economist by any stretch of the imagination nor do I pretend to be one, but I do know simple math and how numbers work. And in my world 2+2 still = 4...but maybe in Trump's decision making world...maybe in the political world especially at election time or when campaign promises could not be kept let alone be met...it does not. Guess we'll find out next month come midterm time. Case closed.**

_____________________________ 

Footnotes 

* A troy ounce of physical gold is a specialized unit of measurement used to weigh precious metals, equal to 31.1034 grams (or about 480 grains), and is about 10% heavier than a standard kitchen or postal ounce (which weighs 28.35 grams). Whenever financial news or gold dealers quote a price "per ounce" of gold, silver, or platinum, they mean a troy ounce.

** Part 2 of Economics + War = A Maybe Midterm Loss specifically in regards to how the Iran War might well affect the midterm election will be published next Monday, October 12th.                               

Copyright @ 2026 Diane Sori / The Patriot Factor / All Rights Reserved.    

************************************************************************************************** For more political commentary please visit my RIGHT SIDE PATRIOTS partner Craig Andresen's blog The National Patriot to read his latest article, Iran's Regime - Low on Time, Out of Leverage, Long on Desperation.

***************************************************************************************************

RIGHT SIDE PATRIOTS...LIVE! 

Tomorrow, Tuesday, October 6 from 7 to 8:30pm EST, RIGHT SIDE PATRIOTS Craig Andresen and Diane Sori discuss 'Economics + War = A Maybe Midterm Loss'; ' 'Iran's Regime - Low on Time, Out of Leverage, Long on Desperation.'; and important news of the day. Tune in to RIGHT SIDE PATRIOTS on https://rspradio1.com Click 'LISTEN LIVE.' 

Just a Thought

This thought below is my (Diane Sori), thought  alone, and does not necessarily represent the views of blogspot.or google.com 

[[[ As the focus today remains on Iran with Trump once again trying to flex muscle he obviously doesn't have, what with his latest talk of possibly having to "annihilate Iran"  being just that...talk..,for even Trump must know that if he did so the response from both Russia and China would surely not be pretty for the U.S. 

So the question becomes, why then all the muscle-flexing talk? Why...because Trump is trying to divert and deflect attention away from the fact that all the latest polls...polls from both sides of the political aisle...show his overall "approval rating" at just 38.3% as opposed to a 58.7% "disapproval rating" when adults, registered voters and/or likely voters were asked the direct question, "Do you approve or disapprove of Donald Trump?"

And with the polls...for now anyway...being overwhelming against him, Trump...if he puts his massive ego aside...must know that not only will Republicans likely lose the House in November, but possibly the Senate as well, especially after the recently announced raise in interest rates. And now when you add in this latest little "confirmed" tidbit that U.S. officials, as directed by Trump, have held and will continue to hold talks with Houthi leaders in Oman...the Houthi's are  financially and militarily backed by Iran...negotiating with terrorists yet again seems to be the order of the day. and sadly could be the icing on a 2028 loss as well. 

"Houston," the Trump problem continues on...add-nauseam. ]]]

 Copyright @ 2026 Diane Sori / The Patriot Factor / All Rights Reserved. 

Just a Thought

This thought below is my {Diane Sori) thought alone, and does not necessarily represent the views of blogspot.or google.com 

  

[[[ Earlier today I posted this on some social media sites: "If...and I only say 'if'...the feds raise the interest rate today...which would be the first raise in three years...with the announcement coming at 2pm EST...then chances are that we on the Republican side can kiss the midterms bye-bye. Why so...because an interest rate hike...even a small hike...would raise the cost of living for tens of millions of Americans, thus sending Trump's current economic policies straight into the toilet...as if his ridiculously high tariffs didn't already raise consumer prices enough. So, the best we can realistically hope for is that the rate at least remains steady, or that shock of all shocks, that said rate drops even a minuscule amount. For many Americans that would surely help them a lot, and as a possible added bonus help save the midterms for our Republican side. At 2pm EST we will know the answer one way or another."

 

And here now is what I posted the minute the rate number was announced: "BREAKING NOW...  Interest rates are going UP...yes UP... 1/4 of a point!!! We can now officially kiss the midterms bye-bye! The American people get screwed yet again courtesy of the first hike in 3-years, and it's on Trump's watch!!! And by the way, another raise in the interest rate is expected by year's end."

 

And here is a response I posted to one of my reader's comment, "A BIG part of this belongs to Trump as he was too busy trying to make deals with terrorists and make everything about oil than he was about working on the American economy! Oh how the Democrats must be celebrating "                                    

 

And might I also add that I believe that the problem since day one has been that "Mr. Art of the Deal"...as in President Trump...never really understood that the "business of government" is vastly different than real estate and construction business deals he was good at making. And so "We the American" people...are again on the losing end...so it's probably bye-bye midterms and maybe 2028 as well...that is unless some major changes are made starting like right now!" ]]]

Copyright @ 2026 Diane Sori / The Patriot Factor / All Rights Reserved.  

Op-ed:

The Schism Within the Democrat Party

By: Diane Sori / The\ Patriot Factor

This opinion piece is my opinion alone, and does not necessarily represent the views of blogspot.or google.com

 

...it was at this point that we saw both mainstream liberals and overtly far-left progressives doubling down on their belief that the government should and must play an active and domineering role in regulating both the sum of our nation's economy, its foreign affairs, as well as having to tend to the welfare of all our citizens...and here might I add that in this case “Democratic Socialists” believe said welfare extends to“illegals” as well.

Simply, “Big Brother is watching you”...albeit in a slightly different guise...does seem to be the moniker of these so-called “Democratic Socialist” sorts.

And with this growing faction deeply embedding itself within today's Democrat party, what can no longer be hidden is the fact that not only do these folks hate what America...in their opinion...has become, but that they see their hoped for “re-transformation” already having begun in earnest, courtesy of an increasing number of “Democratic Socialist” candidates who are now starting to win key primary elections across our nation. And while currently said wins are mostly in what already are long held “blue” cities and states, the “red flag” is that these folks have been successful in usurping long held “traditional / establishment” Democrat seats. Read entire article here.

Copyright @ 2026 Diane Sori / The Patriot Factor / All Rights Reserved.

 ________________________________________________________________________

 

RIGHT SIDE PATRIOTS...LIVE!                                                   Tomorrow, Tuesday, July 14th from 7 to 8:30pm EST, RIGHT SIDE PATRIOTS Craig Andresen and Diane Sori discuss 'The Schism Within the Democrat Party'; 'Socialism - The DNC's Master Plan'; the latest on Iran; and the death of Republican Senator Lindsey Graham. Tune in on https://rspradio1.com Click 'LISTEN LIVE.' 

Op-ed:

The Schism Within the Democrat Party

By: Diane Sori / The Patriot Factor

This opinion piece is my opinion alone, and does not necessarily represent the views of blogspot.or google.com 

It had to happen, the only question was when, but there is an answer to the question, “When will the Democrat Party start to implode within itself”...with the answer being, “the time is now.”

And here I speak of the growing partisan fracture within both the Democrat hierarchy and within the party faithful itself, along with their opposing visions for the party's future. And said fracture has now turned into a no longer being veiled fight between what are Democrat centrists...“Blue Dog” or “moderates” if you will...and the now growing in number so-called “Democratic Socialists,” as in those trying to take over and control the party, and bring it even more to the socialist far left than it is already.

But let's be honest here in the fact that the words “Democratic Socialist,” while being somewhat new to the political discourse, is actually just the newest reincarnation of Barack Obama's infamous “fundamental transformation of America” jargon and agenda. Remember, these “Democratic Socialists”...New York City's disgrace of a mayor, Zohran Mamdani, proudly bills himself as one...want nothing more than to now see our beloved America being brought down to what they hope, and what Obama had hoped, would be her blood stained knees.

 

So while most of the centrists, and what's left of the original JFK style Democrats...do tend to view the actions and words of “Democratic Socialists” as being both too progressive and quite extreme in their actual intent, when melded together they still tend to view our country eventually moving away from the very concept that has made us such an economic success. And here I speak of “capitalism”...which on an economic level is indeed “profit driven,” a concept Democrats, to one degree or another, so love to hate.

And if “capitalism” cannot be fully replaced, the “Democratic Socialists” hope that it can at least be politically manipulated enough to lean to the left so that it becomes a partnership of sorts...a partnership based more upon what the “Democratic Socialists” consider to be “societal needs” than it is on rightfully being “profit driven.” But, in my opinion, I believe what the “Democrat Socialists” really want to see happen is that what starts out as being classic “interventionist” economic reform...as in the “share the wealth” philosophy that I already view as being “socialism light”... eventually morphs into “socialism” in its purist form, and then into “communism” itself where the government has full control of each and every aspect of one's life.

And why do I consider this the “Democratic Socialists” true goal? It's because newly avowed members to the party and cause...coupled with a now fastly growing faction of once thought as “establishment” Democrats... those Democrats who at one time placed emphasis on fair governance and fiscal responsibility...lost their way when Trump not only took office, but when “ TDS” took over their mindset...thus cancelling out whatever small vestiges of common sense and actual logic they once had possessed.

And it was at this point that we saw both mainstream liberals and overtly far-left progressives doubling down on their belief that the government should and must play an active and domineering role in regulating both the sum of our nation's economy, its foreign affairs, as well as having to tend to the welfare of all our citizens...and here might I add that in this case “Democratic Socialists” believe said welfare extends to“illegals” as well.

Simply, “Big Brother is watching you”...albeit in a slightly different guise...does seem to be the moniker of these so-called “Democratic Socialist” sorts.

And with this growing faction deeply embedding itself within today's Democrat party, what can no longer be hidden is the fact that not only do these folks hate what America...in their opinion...has become, but that they see their hoped for “re-transformation” already having begun in earnest, courtesy of an increasing number of “Democratic Socialist” candidates who are now starting to win key primary elections across our nation. And while currently said wins are mostly in what already are long held “blue” cities and states, the “red flag” is that these folks have been successful in usurping long held “traditional / establishment” Democrat seats.

And to complicate the scenario even more so is the fact that these candidates are being helped in their endeavors courtesy of big money donors...big money donors like the DSA (“Democratic Socialists of America”), the “American Priorities Super PAC,” and of course the infamous avowed America-hating “George Soros” courtesy of his “Open Society Foundations,” just to name a few. And with the dollars continuing to grow as “Democratic Socialists” continue to win more and more primary elections, we are indeed bearing witness to Barack Obama's original “transformation of America” objectives getting a new and now expanding lease on life...which is both sad and angering at the same time.

So here in order to truly understand what's happening in our country today, one must know the fundamental differences between not only both the Democrat and Republican parties, but also between the “Democratic Socialists” and actual avowed “Socialists”...with said differences primarily being within each given party's “governance factor” itself.

For example, what we refer to as today's Democrat party, continues to strive for larger, more invasive government interference, interference which not only inserts itself into ones personal whelm, but continues to focus on what they deem to be “wealth inequality“ (as in we'll take from the rich and give their hard earned wealth to the poor without the poor having to lift a finger to work for it). On the other hand, the Republican party always strives for smaller government interference while at the same time championing free-market capitalism and enterprise, plus focusing on individual liberties and responsibilities minus all the needless Democrat wanted regulations involved in the actual running of the government.

Simply, the line between Democrats and Republicans is in actuality an invisible line between tangible logic, common sense, and what is questionable societal norms, and governmental transformation.

Now as for the differences between the new to the political discourse so-called “Democratic Socialists,” and those who actually do politically champion full-blown “socialism.” While the economic and societal differences in their wants and agenda are not as far apart as one might think,“Democratic Socialists” want socialistic change, especially on the economic front, to where the economy itself is collectively managed in what they alone deem to be the public interest, all in an effort to realign existing government policy more towards the overtly progressive left.

And while “Socialists” do strive for that as well, the main difference between today's “Democratic Socialists” and those politically aligned with the DSA is two-fold. First, “Democratic Socialists” want said realignment to happen via the voting booth...while true “Socialists” always see the act of revolution as an option more times than not. And second, the former view themselves as being somewhat altruistic in that they favor “collective governmental management” if it's what they deem to be in the public interest; while the later want the government to actually takeover the ownership of all key industries and infrastructure “on behalf of the people”...communism-lite if you will.

And herein lies the element of time...what is an actual time frame in which the Democrat party might indeed permanently fracture and implode from within...for with the midterm elections fast approaching, the infighting and jockeying for control within the Democrat party is continuing on. And with history showing that midterm elections usually, but thankfully not always, do see the party in power losing either the House or the Senate... and sometimes both...the growing Democrat fracture is something we Republicans can and should use to our advantage, if we play our political cards right that is.

And how exactly should we Republicans do that? The answer is not as complicated as many would like to think, because sometimes the simplest, easiest, and most readily available solution turns out to be the best solution of all.

In this case we should continue to play up the obvious political differences not only within the different factions of the Democrat party itself...which will help widen the fracture...but do so while we keep pounding home the major ideological differences between the actual “right” and “left” side of the political aisle. And we should also bring major attention to the overt failures of the Democrat party's overall agenda while at the same time heralding Republican successes (prime of which was the much needed sealing of our Southern border).  

And as for the Democrat candidates running, whether they be "Democratic Socialists" or not, we should stay focused on their political stances alone, and not sink to their always used personal level for we have one thing going for us that the Democrats and the "Democratic Socialists" do not, as in we still encompass the "Silent Majority," and we always reawaken and unite together when the going gets tough. And know 2026 and 2028 will surely be tough, so let's show these unpatriotic sorts true American patriotism and love of country at its very best! Bring it on...we are ready, willing, and of course able. Case closed.

Copyright @ 2026 Diane Sori / The Patriot Factor / All Rights Reserved.