A handful of updates on two of the most dishonest MAGA narratives.
A handful of updates on two of the most dishonest MAGA narratives.
TAT reader,
Today is just a short piece designed to communicate reality regarding MAGA’s two top false narratives… the Southern border and price-gouging masquerading as “inflation.” Monday’s essay was quite long and tomorrow will be another average sized essay but considering that we are now less than 7 weeks until our election, these two issues require regular attention.
First, the border:
As always, I will link previous deep dives into this issue below, for those who wish a detailed, chronological understanding of the border issues. Bizarrely, the US media continues to call border issues a “crisis” when the situation is actually, better than when the former POTUS left office. Yes, the facts bear out the truth of the last sentence.
As will be explained carefully in one of the links called, XXXXXXXXXXXXXX, the history of our border with Mexico must be understood. Media very rarely addresses this topic. Even more critical to understanding the issues at any border, is the fact that the entire globe is experiencing the largest mass migrations since WW II and has been for well over a decade. These are not any type of excuse for what we and so many other nations experience, it’s just the plain reality of the situation.
For the truth about the border, I primarily and regularly read CBP monthly reports. Both July and August reports are linked below in the caption of each graphic. The July headline speaks for itself.
From the report above In July, the Border Patrol recorded 56,408 encounters between ports of entry along the southwest border. This is the lowest monthly total since September 2020. The Border Patrol’s encounters in July were 32% lower than in June 2024. Total southwest border irregular encounters in July, including individuals who presented at ports of entry without a CBP One appointment, were 61,325, a 30% decrease from June 2024. From June to July, the total number of individuals encountered along the southwest border between ports of entry and at ports of entry without a CBP appointment decreased across all demographics: encounters of unaccompanied children decreased 15%, single adult encounters decreased 27%, and family unit individual encounters decreased by 24%. -CBP Releases July 2024 Monthly Update | U.S. Customs and Border Protection
From the August 2024 report above In August, the Border Patrol recorded about 58,000 encounters between ports of entry along the southwest border. The Border Patrol’s encounters in August were 68% lower than August 2023, keeping the Border Patrol on track to record the lowest number of annual apprehensions along the southwest border since fiscal year 2020, and lower than the monthly average for fiscal year 2019, the last comparable full fiscal year prior to the pandemic. Total southwest border irregular encounters in August, including individuals who presented at ports of entry without previously registering with CBP One, were about 63,000. - CBP Releases August 2024 Monthly Update | U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Despite the remarkable progress being made by the current administration, the MAGA and MSM/ mainstream media continue whining and droning on about a “border crisis.” Even my top tier journalist and interviewer, Margaret Brennan, used the word “crisis” this week on the only Sunday news show that I watch, Face the Nation. Truth and facts matter. I would implore media/ news reporting by typically more credible news programs to be more circumspect and honest. I have zero reason to believe that any right-wing media will tell the truth in the Trump era, or even some of the most fringe left-wing media, but serious newsrooms… WTH?!
Meanwhile, across the spectrum of the MAGA controlled GOP, the insanity and overt dishonesty reigns. Here in Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott and his Texas Taliban party, continue to throw away billions of our hard-earned tax dollars on his political stunt, “Operation Lonestar.” Here in Texas, we prefer the term, “Operation Loonstar.”
Last but not least, since that media won’t cover the truth, it is up to those of us who wish to solve problems effectively, to circulate the truth. If you should choose to share this or even just the facts enclosed in the reports, I am beyond grateful. In fact… all honest Americans regardless of political affiliation are grateful as well.
Border deep background essays:
The BS about BS/ border security, update. (truthaboutthreats.com)
The truth about the Southern border the GOP won't tell you, and that the left is incapable of effectively narrating. (truthaboutthreats.com)
Separating the Wheat from the Chaff about our Southern Border. (truthaboutthreats.com)
After the end of Title 42, the southern border of Texas is calm. (truthaboutthreats.com)
Please, let's solve immigration and put an end to the bizarre, false narratives and cruelty of Governors, Greg Abbott, Ron DeSantis and the MAGA hordes. (truthaboutthreats.com)
Last but not least… price-gouging, not “inflation.”
Again, MAGA and MSM continue to talk about alleged, “inflation” rather than telling the truth about oligarchy and price-gouging. This is quite likely, MAGA’s most potent weapon against all honest Americans. MAGA’s incessant whining and the dishonesty of much of the MSM about inflation, must be addressed robustly and with an arsenal of true narratives about the overall success of our economy, in the wake of the Trump administration’s disasters. If we don’t, this line of attack from MAGA, runs the risk of being the pivotal leverage they need for success in the November election.
ICYMI: Target, Walmart, and Other Grocery Chains Heed President Biden’s Call to Lower Prices | The White House
Companies are using inflation to price-gouge Americans – and making it worse | Robert Reich | The Guardian
Revealed: top US corporations raising prices on Americans even as profits surge | Inflation | The Guardian
Companies use inflation to hike prices and generate huge profits, report says - CBS News
It’s not just me. Family and friends have all noticed the regularly increasing “sales” and intense marketing by major manufacturers over the past couple of months. Regular reports that spell out how Americans are buying less expensive items or putting off those purchases populate our news feeds. Overall, Americans are still spending although now they focus more on necessary items, not expensive “nice-to-have” items and vacations. Credit card debt continues to grow at unhealthy rates and most purchases demand far more scrutiny than ever before.
The grocery store is ground zero for the price-gouging/ inflation wars and thankfully, the Biden administration has recently secured relief from some of America’s biggest retailers. Still, for those on fixed incomes or trying to keep their families fed, in school or housed, there are some huge obstacles to success. Additionally, the Department of Justice is quietly taking on the monopolies via a wide array of lawsuits and criminal charges. Think of this as a quiet version of the Trust-busting of the Teddy Roosevelt era. I applaud this type of pressure on monopolies and corporate greed.
This is not to say that all of the “big guys” are bad, but enough of them are so greedy as to keep our citizenry perpetually scrambling for relief. I have been pleasantly pleased to see AG Garland, adding this focus to his efforts, despite having a DOJ overloaded with cases stemming from the wanton lawlessness and greed of the previous administration. Under AG Barr, such price-gouging went largely unaddressed.
In my opinion, this administration’s support for righting these grievous wrongs committed against all Americans, is one of their highlights. It’s not about tearing down the opportunity for corporations to profit but simply to make sure that they proceed fairly. Everyone from Ticketmaster to big Oil have been monopolizing our wallets unfairly for ages and getting away with it. It is long overdue that we level the playing field again, just as Teddy Roosevelt did a hundred plus years ago. Bravo POTUS Biden and AG Garland. Keeping Trump and MAGA out of office, will allow progress to continue. Our wallets will be grateful.
Well, TAT family, that’s it for today but back again tomorrow or Friday with another essay focused on serious national security threats. Until then, make the very best of your week.
Cheers,
Paul