Alternative Visions- Trump Tax Cut Legislation Details
Today's show focuses on pending $4 Trillion Tax Cuts soon acted on by US Congress as part of package of spending/budget. What's actually in the tax bill? Why is it being reduced to $4T? What about the proposed $1.1T in new working class tax cuts (tips, overtime pay, social security income, interest deduction on new car purchases, cap on state & local taxes, etc.). Will they pass? Why are corporate taxes not on the table, only individual income taxes? Why US has cut taxes by $17 trillion since 2001 despite spending $9 trillion on wars? Why was Obama the biggest corp-business tax cutter $6.1T)? How does Trump propose to cut spending to offset the tax cuts?
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55:52
Alternative Visions- Minerals Deal + 1st Quarter US GDP
Today's show dissects the Trump-Zelensky Minerals Deal finally signed, concluding it's not at all like Trump's first deal in March. No US repayment for past US aid in this one and a back door is opened in the deal for US giving Ukraine more weapons again. And why were 3 documents drafted but we only get to know of one? Second half of show discusses the preliminary US GDP for1st three months of 2025 showing a contraction of the US economy by -0.3%--due mostly to US businesses importing extra goods from offshore as a buffer for potential US tariffs on the horizon + US government spending cuts. Business investment continues rising (mostly inventories), housing and manufacturing contracting, and consumer spending rising at a rate half that of 4th quarter 2024.
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55:08
Alternative Visions- Trump's Ukraine War 'Kellogg Plan' Collapses
Much of today's show is dedicated to a detailed discussion of the various plans and proposals to start negotiations on ending the Ukraine war: Trump's revised 'Kellogg Plan', Europe's plan to continue the war, Ukraine and Zelensky's refusal to negotiate without Russia leaving all territory and capitulating, and Putin's June 14, 2024 proposals that haven't changed. To summarize: Ukraine, Europe & Trump want ceasefire first then negotiations; Russia wants negotiations to start during which ceasefire will be discussed. First phase of war negotiations now over; Trump's envoy Witkoff meeting with Putin again. Outcome begins start of next phase. The show also reviews various forecasts whether the US and global economy are heading to recession: IMF, UN, Wall St. Journal, Atlanta Federal Reserve, etc. (For more detail on Ukraine negotiations check out my latest published article: 'Why Trump's Ukraine War 'Kellogg Plan' Collapsed' at http://jackrasmus.com)
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58:18
Alternative Visions- Tariffs, the Fed and Ukraine Update
Today's show discusses latest events in Trump tariff policies. Not about paying for tax cuts but part of restructuring US empire financing. Why did Trump retreat from pace of tariff implementation? Answer: intense opposition from US multinational corporations to slow down implementation + Japan dumping US Treasuries. Trump launches verbal warning to Powell and Fed to start lowering interest rates, in repeat of 2017 Trump v. Powell conflict (which Trump won). Also, update on Ukraine war negotiations and emerging new Russian offensives. Prediction: US will exit war and Europe assume control. Europe wants to occupy western Ukraine as part of eventual settlement coming this year
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53:02
Alternative Visions- A Trump Recession?
We will be talking about the likelihood of a Trump recession or not.
New Zealand