“In 2017, President Trump delivered the most significant tax relief legislation in a generation, unleashing America’s potential and creating the best economy of my lifetime. The success of the Trump tax cuts cannot be overstated, and working-class families, small businesses, and farmers reaped the benefits These pro-growth policies spearheaded by Republicans resulted in the U.S. economy growing at a full percentage point higher than the previous 10-year average and surpassing economist predictions This resulted in historically low levels of poverty and unemployment, both dropping to their lowest levels in 50 years.
“Failure to extend the expiring provisions of the Trump tax cuts is not an option, and for the past two years the Ways and Means Committee has been hard at work to extend and build on the success of President Trump’s economic policies. Congress must act swiftly to give American families and small businesses certainty that they will not be hit with a $4 6 trillion tax increase in 2025.”
Mark Zuckerberg Sees the Light of the Right and Ends Facebook Censorship
In a display of uncharacteristic candor, Mark Zuckerberg Silicon Valley’s boy-wonder-turned-censorship-czar has pivoted toward the very principles of free expression he once seemed all too willing to trample underfoot. Speaking to comedian and podcast impresario Joe Rogan on The Joe Rogan Experience, Zuckerberg revealed an unsavory chapter in the annals of the Facebook—now Meta empire.
“Essentially, officials from the Biden administration would call up our team, berate them with expletives, and demand the removal of content they deemed inconvenient,” Zuckerberg admitted. “At a certain point, we just said, ‘No, this is absurd. We’re not going to remove things that are true.’” Such a confession from Zuckerberg, whose social media leviathan has played arbiter of acceptable discourse for years, represents a volte-face that could well send tremors through the gilded halls of Silicon Valley. The White House, unsurprisingly, declined to comment on Zuckerberg’s incendiary revelations when approached by NBC News.
In his exchange with Rogan, Zuckerberg conceded that Facebook had, at times, capitulated to governmental pressure an act as disappointing as it is illuminating. “We made some choices that, with the benefit of hindsight and new information, we wouldn’t make today,” he reflected, as if awakening from a long slumber in a technocratic utopia of his own design.
The White House, for its part, has defended its prior exhortations to tech companies, invoking the specter of a “deadly pandemic” to justify its interventions. “Our position has been clear: we believe tech companies and other private actors should consider the effects their actions have on the American people,” the administration said in a statement that, notably, sidesteps the essence of Zuckerberg’s critique
Zuckerberg’s commentary suggests a broader rethinking of Meta’s role in the epistemological marketplace. “I generally believe that, as a principle, people should decide what is credible, what they want to believe, and who they want to vote for,” he declared. “I don’t think that should be something tech companies or any company should determine.”
To hear Zuckerberg espouse what amounts to an endorsement of intellectual self-determination is both a testament to the enduring power of American ideals and a reminder that even the most obdurate guardians of the algorithm are not beyond redemption. One can only hope this awakening marks a substantive shift rather than a convenient moment of rhetorical self-interest. For in a republic of free men and women, the prerogative to discern truth belongs to the citizenry not to government apparatchiks, nor to their willing accomplices in Silicon Valley’s ivory towers
Smith: President Trump’s Tax Plan Will Fix Weak Biden-Harris Jobs Market
Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (MO-08) issued the following statement after the Bureau of Labor Statistics released the final jobs report of the failed Biden-Harris Administration, showing a labor market reliant on bureaucrat hiring:
“The Biden-Harris labor market failed to deliver for American workers. The average paycheck today is worth 3 percent less than the first day of the Biden presidency. President Biden slowed recovery from the pandemic by paying people more to stay at home than go to work, raising taxes, and threatening more regulations President Biden’s so-called ‘manufacturing boom’ was actually a government spending bonanza with a blue-collar recession that lost over 87,000 manufacturing jobs in the last year. Businesses, squeezed by high inflation and interest rates, cut hiring. But government jobs were on the rise.
“President Trump and Republicans have a mandate to quickly undo the damage done by the Biden-Harris Administration and restore our nation’s greatness and prosperity Under unified Republican leadership, Congress must act swiftly on tax relief for families and small businesses reeling from four years of inflation, high interest rates, and uncertainty. Today, small businesses and manufacturers are making decisions about future hiring and expansion. They need the assurance they won’t pay a 43.4 percent tax rate, and they need incentives to support domestic manufacturing President Trump has the right policies to grow paychecks, create jobs, and supercharge our economy. After four years of waiting, there is no time to waste. January 20th cannot come soon enough.”
Key Background:
• Everything Costs More: Prices have increased 20.6 percent since the beginning of the Biden-Harris Administration.
• Americans Making Less: Real wages and benefits have fallen 3 percent since the beginning of the BidenHarris Administration.
• Inflation Above Fed’s Target: For 45 straight months, inflation has been above the Federal Reserve’s 2 percent target.
• Inflation Higher Than Wages: Inflation outpaced wages for 26 straight months under the Biden-Harris Administration.
• Historic Interest Rates: Under the Biden-Harris Administration, interest rates hit their highest levels in 23 years.
Mortgage Costs 81 Percent Higher: The monthly mortgage payment for a median priced new home has increased by nearly $1,000 and is over 80 percent higher than when President Biden and Vice President Harris took office in January 2021.
• $1 Trillion+ Credit Card Debt: Credit card interest rates are at their highest levels in more than three decades, while consumer credit debt has exceeded $1 trillion for six calendar quarters. The number of Americans struggling to pay credit card bills has increased to levels not seen since the great financial crisis More than 11 percent of credit card balances are more than 90 days past due
• Shrinking Savings: Thanks to higher prices, families have spent the entirety of their pandemic savings by 2024, and they are able to save less of their income. The average personal savings rate since President Biden and Vice President Harris took office is 2.9 percent lower than the pre-Biden-Harris average and it remains comparatively low at 4 4 percent today
• Families Falling Behind on Bills: Over one-third of families (37 percent) paid a late fee in the past year.
NC Statement on Governor-elect Pulaalii Nikolao Pula and Governor Arnold Palacios Joining the GOP
Governor-elect Pulaalii Nikolao Pula of American Samoa and Governor Arnold Palacios of the Northern Mariana Islands have announced that they plan to join the Republican Party Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairman Michael Whatley issued the following statement:
"Following President Trump’s landslide victory in November, enthusiasm for the Republican Party is at historic highs and America’s future is bright again. I am proud to welcome Governor Pula and Governor Palacios to the Republican Party as just the latest proof that our common-sense agenda represents victory for all Americans, from the islands to the mainland ”
Republican Governors Association (RGA) Chairman and Governor Brian Kemp issued the following statement:
"Republican leadership delivers economic results, safe communities, and opportunity for all. I am proud to welcome two new Republican Governors to our movement and congratulate Governors Pula and Palacios on taking this bold step for their constituents."
Governor-elect Pulaalii Nikolao Pula issued the following statement:
“It is clear to me that Republican Party values of respect for God, Country and Family are Samoan values. President Trump and the only GOP’s ironclad commitment to reforming the federal government along with growing the economy will greatly benefit American Samoa, as we develop a partnership to build a strong economy here over the next four years.”
Governor Arnold Palacios issued the following statement:
“I was elected to serve the best interests of the people of the Northern Mariana Islands above all else, and that commitment remains unwavering. It is clear to me that President Trump and the Republican Party’s message of freedom, opportunity, and strength at home and on a global stage best aligns with the vision and priorities of improving the economy and creating better opportunities for every family in the Northern Mariana Islands. I look forward to working with fellow Republicans on our shared work ahead!”
Congresswoman Amata Coleman Radewagen of American Samoa, the most senior member of the RNC, issued the following statement:
“My job of making sure the Trump Administration pays close attention to the needs of our islands will be greatly strengthened with the backing of these two strong leaders I have known both of them for decades ”
Honorary Grand Marshal of Trump Flotilla 2024
John
Belcher
visits Historic Downtowner Saloon
Conservatives Flood the Downtowner Saloon with Support
The Historic Downtowner Saloon in Fort Lauderdale, a beloved local landmark with deep historical roots dating back to 1925, is sadly slated to close on October 7, 2024. Known for its Mediterranean Revival architecture and rich tradition, including hosting Fort Lauderdale’s largest Saint Patrick’s Day parties and serving as an official Minnesota Vikings bar, the venue has long been a cherished gathering spot On September 22, 2024, the saloon was visited by Mr. John Belcher, Honorary Grand Marshal of the Trump Flotilla 2024. Belcher, the owner of Unique Rabbit Studios, designs custom mascot statues and themed signs for prominent businesses. He recently designed a Trump head bust statue that adorned the lead boat in the Trump Flotilla parade, held on September 24 from Port Everglades to Lake Boca This year’s flotilla was the largest ever For more on Belcher’s work, visit Unique Rabbit Studios, and for local Vikings fans, check out the Miami Vikes
RC - Roger Craft
Proprietor - The Downtowner
The Bob Sutton Famiglia
Donald Trump Officially Wins the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election
November 6, 2024 In a decisive victory, Donald J Trump has officially won the 2024 United States presidential election. After a contentious and closely watched campaign season, Trump, the Republican nominee and former president, secured enough electoral votes to claim victory, defeating incumbent President Joe Biden in a historic contest
"We have won a great victory for the American people," Trump declared in his victory speech early this morning. "The American people have spoken loud and clear. Together, we will restore this great nation to its former glory and beyond "
The victory marks a return to the White House for Trump, who served as the 45th President of the United States from 2017 to 2021. His campaign focused on issues such as immigration, law and order, the economy, and American exceptionalism Trump's platform resonated with a significant portion of the electorate, leading to a strong showing in key battleground states.
Trump's win comes after a high-stakes race, which saw millions of Americans casting their votes in one of the most intensely scrutinized elections in modern history As he prepares to take office for a second term on January 20, 2025, Trump's supporters celebrated his triumph as a major victory for conservative principles, while his critics expressed concerns about the future direction of the country.
The President-elect thanked his supporters, campaign team, and volunteers in a statement issued late last night. "I am humbled by the trust you have placed in me," he said. "Now, the work begins. We will rebuild our country, create jobs, defend our borders, and put America first."
As the transition to the new administration begins, questions remain about the direction of both domestic and foreign policy under a Trump presidency. The President-elect is expected to announce key appointments in the coming days, including selections for cabinet positions and other high-ranking roles in the administration.
Trump's victory ends a tumultuous election season and signals a new chapter in American politics. With the support of millions of voters, the 2024 election outcome is a testament to the enduring influence of the Trump brand of leadership in the United States. For further information or to arrange an interview, please contact: Trump 2024 Campaign Press
