According to President Trump it’s “Liberation Day,” when a broad set of tariffs will go into effect. According to one estimate, the tariffs could cost working families over $1,000 a year as importers raise prices to keep up with the tariffs.
Tariffs do have a use, columnist Sonali Kolhatkar writes this week — if they’re used strategically. “Tariffs can be a useful tool to regulate global trade,” Sonali explains, “but Trump’s chaotic, overly broad tariffs are only likely to hurt working people.”
Also this week, Jocelyn Smith talks about her volunteer work distributing food to the hungry and finding affordable shelter for the unhoused. “I know how it feels to be hungry and homeless,” she explains. “I’m proud to do this work. But it’s no substitute for fair, living wages and a reliable public safety net.”
Jocelyn warns that this safety net is under attack. “The GOP budget proposal would slash $880 billion from Medicaid and $230 billion from food assistance” as Republicans look to fund a $4.5 trillion tax cut for billionaires and corporations. “They’re stealing from us to give to the rich, perpetuating a vicious cycle of poverty that keeps people homeless and hungry,” she concludes.
Finally, Jim Hightower says the Department of Agriculture is ripe for reform. But the only “reforms” the DOGE crew are offering are targeting the few USDA programs left that help poor people and ordinary farmers, rather than giant agribusinesses.
New This Week…
Tariffs Can Be Useful — But Not How Trump Is Using Them | Sonali Kolhatkar
When done right, protectionism can benefit workers and the environment. That’s not what’s happening here.
Congress Is Taking from the Poor to Give to the Rich | Jocelyn Smith
I know how it feels to be hungry and homeless. And if the GOP budget passes as written, so will millions more.
Reform the USDA | Jim Hightower
Today’s USDA has become a bottomless feeding trough for agribusiness giants and other financial powers that fleece taxpayers — and Donald Trump and Elon Musk aren’t helping.
In Case You Missed It…
Dismantling the IRS Only Helps Billionaire Tax Dodgers | Chuck Collins
Starting this tax season, Trump and Musk’s IRS cuts will cost middle class taxpayers a lot more than they save.
Public Transit Moves Working Families. We Need to Support It. | Vanessa Alvarez
If leaders in Washington cut transit funding, working families like mine will pay the price.
It’s Time to Turn Up the Heat on Monopoly Utilities | Victoria Lee
Three in four Americans get monthly utility bills from for-profit corporations that reward billionaire investors and rip off ratepayers like you and me.
Moments Like Now Are Why We Have Courts | Paul Gordon
Trump and his allies understand how important the courts are in protecting us. Why else would they be trying to neuter them?
