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.**

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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.

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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.' 

Op-ed:

Even Great Presidents Make Mistakes...Part One

By Diane Sori / The Patriot Factor

The article posted here is the authors opinion alone, and does not necessarily represent the views of blogspot.com or Google   

...And to that, with all due honor and respect I say, “No, Mr. President you are wrong.” Why so...because as a businessman you had to know that no juggling of numbers of “tariff” raised revenues would ever be large enough to significantly filter down to “We the People's” pocketbooks let alone bring down the gross national debt, the prices at the grocery store and at the pump. Simple math alone does dictate that to be fact.

Donald Trump's intentions and motives in focusing on the “tariffs” cannot be questioned for he truly did believe the issue needed to be addressed...which it certainly did...it was just that, in my opinion, his timing was off in doing so what with so many American's monetarily still hurting.

And now when you add that President Trump wants part of the income from the “tariffs” to pay $2,000 dividends in seven year annual increments to low and middle income Americans, he has ignored the fact that in doing so it would actually counter his original intention of the “tariffs” helping to bring down the growing...Read entire article here.

Op-ed:

Even Great Presidents Make Mistakes...Part One

By Diane Sori / The Patriot Factor

 The article posted here is the authors opinion alone, and does not necessarily represent the views of blogspot.com or Google   

Let me begin by saying that I voted for President Donald J. Trump three times, and would vote for him a fourth time if it was constitutionally allowed. I also think that as president he has done an amazing job when it comes to securing our southern border, removing those here illegally, cracking down on crime in America's cities, cutting bureaucratic wasteful spending, and in his striving to bring global peace. However, here I must add that Donald Trump, in his position as president, is not perfect...nobody is...in regards to what are two areas of growing concern to many Americans, as in the economy and the Israel/Hamas ceasefire that is anything but a ceasefire let alone a pathway to lasting peace.

In this 'Part One' of what is a two part series, I will first focus on the economy. And with that said, remember back to the 2024 presidential campaign when then candidate Donald Trump promised to reduce government expenditures by eliminating certain agencies; slashing federal regulations; ending spending on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives; and cutting what he called “fraudulent spending”...all of which were indeed promises kept. In fact, as per the U,S. Treasury Department, “year-over-year federal spending growth” has declined during Trump’s first year of this current term. Score one for our side I'd say.

Also during that same campaign, Trump promised to end inflation, lower prices at the grocery store and at the “ pump,” as well as lowering the national debt. Has any of that happened to a significant or lasting degree...in a word,“no.” And why not...because for President Trump the word “tariffs” seemingly took over all vestiges of economic logic. And while I do agree that the “tariffs” needed to be addressed as per Trump's rightfully stating that we were being “taken advantage” of for far too long in regards to “tariffs,” I did, however, state on day one when Trump's “tariff” proposal was announced...and got much flack for it...that I believed now was not the right time to address the “tariffs.” And my reason given as to why was that the economy needed to be addressed first as American families and workers were still financially hurting after the four disastrous Biden/Harris years.

In fact, I believed then as I do now that a better way to lower grocery prices overall, without having to resort to “tariffs,” would have been if Trump had initiated a countrywide effort to help increase the production of our own home grown food supplies. How so...by his fostering in both the concept of “fair competition,” while also addressing the food supply chains rightfully called “inefficiencies.” And this could have simply been done by Trump's easing, or outright eliminating, some of the still in effect overburdening regulations that stifle efforts to increase what is our domestic food supply.

Simply, if the supply of domestic goods is readily available and fairly priced, then the  consumers demand for cheaper made foreign goods will start to wain, thus leaving the “tariff” issue to safely be addressed at a later time.

Now as for the price at the ” pump,” that too is being affected by the newest Trump “tariffs.” How and why so...because just like with grocery prices, gas prices do tend to go up as “tariffs” increase, especially in regards to imported “refined products.” Simply, any increase in the cost of imported energy...in this case it's in regards to diesel gasoline and crude oil...does tend to see the consumer paying higher prices at the pump. And while prices, for a short time, did drop but mostly on “regular” gasoline, the price drop was but pennies per gallon. Translation: not enough dollar savings has been acquired to really help the average American consumer at the “pump,” especially with many cars now on the road still needing “high test” not “regular” gasoline.

Here's but one example. As I was writing this article, here in south Florida my husband just paid $3.52 per gallon for high test gasoline to fill his 22-gallon tank car, for a total of $77.44. We used to pay around $3.60 per gallon earlier this year when Trump took office for a total of $79.20. Simply, my husband saved but a mere 8 cents per gallon to fill up his tank for a grand total savings of $1.76 per tank full...a quite laughable savings I'd say...a savings that cannot even buy someone a full carton of eggs.

But in regards to both grocery and gas prices I'd be remiss if I didn't say that the economy...and everything else Trump inherited...was an economy in total shambles, which in and of itself should have put the economy front and center of the Trump agenda not the “tariffs” which, in my opinion, just make a bad situation even worse for many Americans.

But something that must not to be forgotten in this discourse is that, thanks to President Trump, inflation itself has come down a bit even while prices at the grocery store and at the “pump” are on the rise up again. And why...partially because of the “tariffs” as a fair amount of imported goods (like coffee, fruits, seafood, nuts, cheese, and beef for example) do stock America's grocery store shelves. Remember, “tariffs” are basically a tax on imported goods which the taxed countries then pass on to we consumers by a rise in a given goods price.

And to give additional credence to my previously stated “economy first” then the tariffs opinion, many leading economists...economists like Thomas Sowell, Jeremy Siegel, and Joseph Stiglitz (winner of the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences.)...have also opined that in Trump's imposing the “tariffs” before addressing what were the underlying economic conditions was a mistake. And why so...because in his focusing on the “tariffs” in regards to their being revenue generating, Trump believed that it would help to correct what he considered to be a U.S. “trade deficit” while also helping to bring down the national debt. But with a “trade deficit” simply meaning that one country buys more goods and services from another country than it sells to that given county, more monies flow out of the country to pay for the imports than comes into said country as a payment for the exports.

“The impact of imposing these tariffs will have the effect of depressing U.S. economic growth, contributing to a higher rate of inflation, and those effects will be worse if the other countries retaliate in kind.”                                          

- Marcus Noland, executive vice president of the 'Peterson Institute for International Economics'

Think of it this way, the raising of “tariffs” on imported goods...Trump's still economic focus...will in the end be passed on to we the American consumers courtesy of a price rise initiated by the countries supplying said goods. And why the increase...because those countries need additional revenue to offset the Trump imposed increase in “tariffs” in order for them to be able to afford to purchase American exported goods which could, in turn, actually lead to a rise in inflation.

Now add in that Trump believed that his “tariff” objectives would, in ten years time, see a four trillion dollar reduction in the national debt (numbers shifting on paper), but the truth is that these “tariffs” would have done nothing of substance to lower said debt. And how did I know this...because I knew that while “tariffs” do generate a certain amount of income, the amount they generate is but a small portion of what are much needed government revenues. And when coupled with the fact that “tariffs” typically raise billions, not trillions, of dollars in revenue, it was easy to surmise that the numbers themselves simply would not allow for a truly meaningful reduction in the national debt no matter the time limit placed. And this is exactly what I said would be the outcome as soon as Trump announced his “tariff” plan.

A background in rocket science is not needed to figure that outcome out, a simple understating that two plus two will always equal four serves the purpose well. 

So even with the “tariffs” that were already in place before President Trump's newest round of “tariffs” was announced, the fact remains that our national debt did continue to increase not decrease, and the real time numbers prove it.

One case in point is that as of early November 2025, the U.S.gross national debt registered at approximately $38.09 trillion which is a $2.18 trillion increase over 2024's gross national debt, with the corresponding average daily increase being around $5.97 billion. And while interest payments alone remain in excess of $1.2 trillion, this allowed the debt-to-GDP ratio to keep rising because “tariff” generated revenues only offer a temporary fluctuation in deficit relief.

Simple translation: you cannot rob Peter to pay Paul when the tangible monies needed to do so are simply not available...or in this specific case are but a fraction of what would be needed to meaningfully bring down the national debt.

And yet while the “tariffs” were and still are being touted by President Trump as a possible solution to some of America's and Americans money woes...and know he does so with good intentions...the average American still sees no long range benefits being filtered down to their personal pocketbooks. And many have come out to voice that very opinion including FOX News' very own Laura Ingram who, during a recent on air “Ingram Angle” interview, pressed President Trump on American voters' growing what she called “anxieties” about the economy, affordability, inflation, and rising grocery and gas prices, to name but a few. And when she brought up the “tariffs” Trump's response was that, “the economy is the greatest we've ever had” while dismissing polls and voter anxieties as but a “con job” or “fake.”

And to that, with all due honor and respect I say, “No, Mr. President you are wrong.” Why so...because as a businessman you had to know that no juggling of numbers of “tariff” raised revenues would ever be large enough to significantly filter down to “We the People's” pocketbooks let alone bring down the gross national debt, the prices at the grocery store and at the pump. Simple math alone does dictate that to be fact.

Donald Trump's intentions and motives in focusing on the “tariffs” cannot be questioned for he truly did believe the issue needed to be addressed...which it certainly did...it was just that, in my opinion, his timing was off in doing so what with so many American's monetarily still hurting.

And now when you add that President Trump wants part of the income from the “tariffs” to pay $2,000 dividends in seven year annual increments to low and middle income Americans, he has ignored the fact that in doing so it would actually counter his original intention of the “tariffs” helping to bring down the growing national debt. Why so...because as per the non-partisan “Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget” (CRFB), the huge amount of monies being diverted via the payouts would push the national debt to 127% of the GDP by 2035, and possibly see it eventually rising to 134% of the GDP. Not good folks, not good at all.

Simply, the man, the president, I truly admire and was proud to vote for three times lost, in my opinion, his focus on exactly how to bring down the rising costs we Americans see on a daily basis in regards to grocery store prices and at the “pump.” Dwelling so deeply on the “tariffs”*  was not and is not the sole answer to our Biden/Harris inherited economic problems...the issue of the “tariffs” could have waited, and I'm glad that key economists on both sides of the political aisle are now saying exactly what I said months ago. I only hope, in my opinion, that this timing mistake does not affect the 2026 midterms in a negative way.

In “Even Great Presidents Make Mistakes...Part Two,” (which will be published on Monday, December 1st, due to the Thanksgiving holiday), I will focus on a key foreign policy mistake President Trump made, and why it might well affect the 2028 presidential ticket...but for now, case closed.

_______________________________________________________ 

* Tariffs are a particularly bad way to raise revenue...a must read by The Brookings Institute 

Copyright © 2025 Diane Sori / The Patriot Factor / All rights reserved.

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For more political commentary please visit my RIGHT SIDE PATRIOTS partner Craig Andresen's blog The National Patriot to read his latest article, One Dumpster Fire After Another.

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RIGHT SIDE PATRIOTS...LIVE!                                                        Tomorrow, Tuesday, November 18th from 7 to 8:30pm EST, RIGHT SIDE PATRIOTS Craig Andresen and Diane Sori discuss 'Even Great Presidents Make Mistakes...Part One'; 'One Dumpster Fire After Another'; and important news of the day. Hope you can tune in to RIGHT SIDE PATRIOTS on https://rspradio1.com Click 'LISTEN LIVE' starting at 6:50pm EST, show begins at 7pm EST.

Op-ed:

Trump's Tax Truths By The Numbers

By: Diane Sori / The Patriot Factor / Right Side Patriots on American Political Radio

He promised 'We the People' tax reform during the campaign and as president, Donald Trump delivered, when on Friday December 22, 2017 he signed the 'Tax Cuts and Jobs Act' into law. A true Christmas president to the American people...a Christmas present promised by others but never delivered.

And as expected the act was voted along party lines...51 to 48 in the Senate and 224 to 201 in the House but with 12 Republicans congressmen from the high-tax states of California, New York and New Jersey joining all the Democrats in both houses voting no. Claiming that taxpayers who itemize will be hurt by the legislation's cuts to the state and local tax deduction, what the naysayers failed to see is the overall positives of this new law...positives as in a much needed simplification of our tax system; the fact that billions of dollars of working capital and corporate profits now in accounts outside the U.S. coupled with jobs will be returning to our country; and the U.S. dollar will be greatly strengthened.

But none of those positives matter to the Democrats... Democrats led by the likes of Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schummer...as tax cuts for 'We the People' means less monies they will have to buy, barter, or make promises to illegals in exchange for the votes.

Now let's touch upon but four key grievances relating to the 'Tax Cuts and Jobs Act' that Democrats are up in arms about. And know these four are but many as Democrats will always whine, stamp their feet, and never vote for anything the Republicans propose no matter how much it benefits 'We the People.'

First out of the Democrats bag of tricks comes their usual never ending rhetoric about how the Republican tax cuts will raise both the national debt (also known as the public debt) and the federal deficit. Claiming that the 'Tax Cuts and Jobs Act' will raise the federal deficit by hundreds of billions of dollars over the next decade, what they and so many others forget is that the deficit itself allows for a shifting of numbers on paper. How so...because with the deficit being just the difference between what the federal government spends (outlays) and what it takes in (revenues) the deficit becomes simply I.O.Us. of sorts and also but a small portion of the annual federal revenues. And with the corresponding national debt being the direct result of the federal government borrowing money to cover the many years of budget deficits...especially the deficits created by eight long years of Obama's totally out of control spending...it still is relatively easy to shift monies back and forth between departments to skew the numbers with none the wiser.

A vicious cycle for sure but not insurmountable for with the federal government having a central bank of which to manipulate...if you will...the economy, the currency, and interest rates, we still have more than enough tangible “treasure” to allow, if not outright encourage, a shifting of those numbers...basically being financial flexibility to deal with these I.O.U.s. However, what 'We the People' are not privy to is the logistics of exactly how that numbers shifting is done, especially since the feds have the right to actually issue new debt and refinance old bonds at better terms and rates when the economy is slowing and interest rates are falling. Amazing isn't it.

In other words, while a booming economy is a good thing it's only a good thing as long as it's kept somewhat in check by not allowing said debt to exceed the 'debt to GDP ratio' (the total value of goods and services our economy produces). In fact, in fiscal year 2016 with the GDP being $18.6 trillion and with the interest we paid on said debt being $233 billion, which translated into just 6.1% of the national budget, and with the federal revenue being $6.13 trillion (as in the sum of individual income taxes, business income taxes, and other tax revenues the feds collect over a given year), the debt number was not just sustainable but even manageable as we were not then nor are not now in the throes of a financial crisis no matter what the Democrats or even some Republicans say.

Remember, total revenue grows as the GDP grows while in an economic downturn revenues logically decrease becoming of key importance only when total revenues are compared to government spending. For example, if government spending increases at about the same rate as economic growth and if the 'total revenue to GDP ratio' remains on an even level especially if the overall size of the government stays about the same in proportion to its economic activity, then all basically remains status quo. 

However, if spending growth outpaces increases in total revenues, the government will eventually be forced to borrow more money, raise taxes or...heaven forbid...cut their spending. But Trump's new tax law will help increase revenues by bringing large corporations back to America which in turn will put more people back to work and also afford folks to ability to keep more of their income...income they will put back into purchases which in turn directly feeds economic growth.

And so as long as the national debt does not exceed the aforementioned 'debt to GDP ratio,' the debt in and of itself...no matter it now being at an all time high of $20+ trillion...while not a desirable thing is not a terrible thing either for there are some very important things most... especially the Democrats...forget. Things like the fact that our country has been in debt for over 200 years; that our currency system is a fiat system (as in a currency without intrinsic value yet established as money by government regulation); that the feds and the Treasury Department can actually just “create”...as in print...more money to pay off our creditors if need be; and that rising public deficits (the national debt) actually leads to growing private-sector surpluses.

“During the Clinton years we had a budget surplus with correspondingly ballooning private debt. That didn’t work out so well,” so said financial advisor and author William Bernstein adding that the budget surplus played a big role in not just one financial bubble but two... the stock market and real estate crashes that led to the financial crisis of the George W. Bush and Obama years.

Simply put, no matter words to the contrary debt is not always a bad thing in regards to the private sector. In fact, debt within the 3% to 4% range can actually be a sign of a healthy economy because it means both employment and wages are increasing and that the markets are stable. And while the Fed can lower interest rates to make all-around investing easier, no on can create economic activity out of a stagnant or sluggish economy. But with the economy now truly growing and thriving under President Trump's leadership and with the 'Tax Cuts and Jobs Act' now signed into law, U.S. economic growth will only continue to increase what with consumer confidence at a high unseen in years and with the jobs market flourishing in spite of both a budget deficit and more debt...and that is a very good thing.

So there goes the Democrats argument against the 'Tax Cuts and Jobs Act' based upon the national debt's argument.

Second, as for the naysayers argument that this new law will see the highest income earners benefiting the most while the lowest income earners and the middle class may actually have to pay more in taxes once most of the individual tax provisions expire after 2025...very simply... this is not true. And why...because the only ones possibly seeing an eventual tax increase in 2025...and a small one at that and only if the Republicans and Congress are unsuccessful in making all tax cuts permanent by then...will be those in the $100 to $250 thousand dollar per year tax range not...I repeat not...those Americans in the middle class range. And said range is in no way the highest income earners...those in the $100 to $250 thousand dollar per year tax range not...I repeat not...those Americans in the middle class range. And said range is in no way the highest income earners.

And what is middle class in today's America...it's a range that encompasses 41.5% of all Americans...and gauged by Pew Research as being households earning between 67% to 200% of an individual state's median income. And neither will those in the lower middle class range...being those whose annual personal income ranges from about $32,500 to $60,000...see a tax increase under the 'Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.' That is just a fact.

As for the lowest wage earners...those earning no more than 199% of the poverty level...as in those individuals earning between a minimum of $11,490 and a maximum of $22,865 dollars...they too will see no tax increase. And a couple will not pay any income taxes at all up to $24,000 a year.

So there goes the Democrats argument that the middle class does not see any tax relief for the fact is they will see tax relief to the tune of about $1,610 per year which translates into a “bump” of about 2.2% in their average household's income. And high income earners...those in the range of $400+ thousand per year...will rightfully receive tax cuts too, but know that those income earners make up but 10% or less of the American population. And those who earn $1 to $6 million make up only 1% of the population with the highest wage earners making above $6 million are but 0.1% of our population. And dare some forget that it's these collective high income earners who both invest in and create the very businesses that in turn create jobs and fuel economic growth.

Now as far as what is deemed middle class in high-tax states like California, New York, and New Jersey...it's not the federal taxes that are hurting these folks but it's their overburdening state and local taxes that are. Let those states “fix” their own house before pointing fingers at others for their residents woes.

Third, and while it's true that corporations will see their corporate tax rate drop from 35% to 21% that is a win-win for both the corporation itself and for America herself as American companies overseas will start to return to the states thus fueling competition and corporate expansion which will lead to jobs being created that will be filled by American workers. And for major companies already based in these United States, they too will expand with jobs being created thanks to this new competition. And with corporate profits as a result rising, much of those monies will be funneled back into our economy via corporate investments as well as seeing dividends going into the hands of corporate shareholders...shareholders including the average American who is saving for the future or who will now have additional monies to make purchases they could not do before.

Sad that the Democrats don't understand the basic principal that helping those who create jobs helps our economy in return as well.

Fourth and lastly, the Democrats refuse to accept as fact the 'Tax Cuts and Jobs Act' will indeed strengthen the U.S. dollar. How so...with the corporate tax rate dropping from 35% to 21% and with a reduction in tax on dividends will see the U.S. overseas exchange rates becoming even more attractive to investors and that in turn helps to strengthen the dollar as investments are made. And simple logic dictates that in turn the stock market will also benefit from higher after-tax profits and strengthening economic activity which again helps to strengthen the dollar. And not too be forgotten is the fact that when economic growth increases also increased is the possibility of sustained long-term growth. Also remember, any short-term stimulus to the economy automatically boosts the dollars worth.

And when there is more money in both corporate and consumer pockets an as expected boost in spending occurs which in turn stimulates the economy thus automatically increasing the purchasing power of the dollar. And such economic growth would again attract foreign investment with the dollar gaining strength as foreigners who had previously bought “greenbacks” to purchase American assets would now do so.

But the bottom line is that the 'Tax Cuts and Jobs Act' is now the law of the land and it is the first significant tax reform since Ronald Reagan was president. And while it is yet another of Trump's campaign promises kept, it must be remembered that the implementation of said law is equally as important for two reasons. First, good tax reform should both simplify the current complex and micromanaged economy and make it more efficient in its running while at the same time assuring long-term economic growth, which this tax law does while at the same time making it easier for Americans to file their taxes. And second, good tax reform should also lower marginal tax rates and the cost of capital, which according to the Tax Foundation's Taxes and Growth Model the 'Tax Cuts and Jobs Act' does as well.

In fact, according this same model, this act will see a 1.7% increase in the all-important GDP over the long term; will also see a 1.5% increase in wages, and will add an additional 339,000 full-time jobs to the work force. And wasn't that the goal of tax reform all along...to help put Americans back to work and more money in their pockets...and that money will start to be seen in less than a month's time. So to President Trump I say kudos for tax reform well done.

Copyright @ 2018 Diane Sori / The Patriot Factor / All Rights Reserved.

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RIGHT SIDE PATRIOTS...LIVE!

Today, Friday, January 5th from 7 to 9pm EST on American Political Radio, RIGHT SIDE PATRIOTS Craig Andresen and Diane Sori discuss the truth about Trump's tax cuts from both a tangible and a snarky point of view; and important news of the day.

Hope you can tune in at: http://listen.samcloud.com/w/73891/American-Political-Radio#history