Axios reports Wednesday morning, “A breakthrough has been reached in the negotiations between Israel and Hamas in Doha and a deal to release hostages held by Hamas and establish a ceasefire in Gaza is imminent, three Israeli officials told Axios.”
“There is a breakthrough in the hostage deal negotiations in Doha. Hamas’ military leader in Gaza Mohammed Sinwar gave his OK,” one Israeli official was cited as saying. And importantly, a statement from Trump’s team:
‘We have a deal’: Trump hails Gaza peace accord
In a quick follow-up statement on Truth Social, president-elect Trump underscored the unmistakable timing, attributing the deal to his election win in November. Below is his statement in full [emphasis ZH]:
This EPIC ceasefire agreement could have only happened as a result of our Historic Victory in November, as it signaled to the entire World that my Administration would seek Peace and negotiate deals to ensure the safety of all Americans, and our Allies. I am thrilled American and Israeli hostages will be returning home to be reunited with their families and loved ones.
With this deal in place, my National Security team, through the efforts of Special Envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, will continue to work closely with Israel and our Allies to make sure Gaza NEVER again becomes a terrorist safe haven. We will continue promoting PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH throughout the region, as we build upon the momentum of this ceasefire to further expand the Historic Abraham Accords. This is only the beginning of great things to come for America, and indeed, the World!
We have achieved so much without even being in the White House. Just imagine all of the wonderful things that will happen when I return to the White House, and my Administration is fully confirmed, so they can secure more Victories for the United States!
The impending deal reportedly lays out an initial six week ceasefire phase which includes gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from Central Gaza as well as the return of displaced Palestinians to North Gaza.
Of the some 100 hostages still held by Hamas, at least one-third are believed already deceased. Dozens were released upon an initial deal struck early in the conflict.
Like with the first hostage exchange, dozens of Palestinian prisoners are expected to be released under this new agreement in return for each Israeli hostage.
Gazans, enduring Israeli attacks for 465 days, celebrate the ceasefire agreement with tears of relief
pic.twitter.com/eiW0jyuB9V
— Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) January 15, 2025
According to the latest on where things stand via Axios:
- A second Israeli official said there is optimism that a deal could be announced by Thursday at the latest.
- The Israeli prime minister’s office said in a statement that Hamas hasn’t given it’s approval for the deal.
- Hamas still hasn’t issued an official statement, but a Palestinian source quoted by Al-Araby al-Jadeed website said the group and other factions in Gaza have a unified position and have given a positive response to the draft ceasefire agreement.
Netanyahu’s office has still said it has not received official word from Hamas on whether it has agreed to the deal.
“Both Reuters and AFP reported that Hamas had given verbal approval for the deal, citing Palestinian sources. According to Reuters, the terror group had not yet given a written response to the ceasefire proposal,” Times of Israel also underscores. Additionally:
Channel 12 quoted an Israeli official saying that “there has been a breakthrough,” and assessed that a deal could be signed later in the day.
Ministers is Netanyahu’s cabinet are reportedly preparing for a possible Wednesday night vote on enacting a ceasefire deal.
Not everyone is happy. For example, Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir has threatened to quit the governing coalition if Netanyahu agrees to the hostage and ceasefire deal.
I don't care what you think of Trump. I don't care what Trump's motives are or what else he promised Israel, which I'm sure is non-trivial.
Anyone who causes an end to Israel's civilian- destruction in Gaza has done a good thing, and there's no denying his key role: https://t.co/saOMNruu78
— Glenn Greenwald (@ggreenwald) January 15, 2025
“Over the past year, through our political power, we have managed to prevent this deal from coming to fruition, time after time,” Ben Gvir said Tuesday. Some critics both within and outside Israel have accused Netanyahu of doing precisely this. Large protests have persisted in Tel Aviv amid accusations Netanyahu has thwarted potential peace deals in the past, opting to pursue total war in Gaza.
]]>Hochul used her state-of-the-state address Tuesday to highlight the proposals, many of which would require legislative approval. That includes a proposal to slash taxes by up to 5% across five of the state’s nine tax brackets, which she said would provide relief to more than 8.3 million taxpayers for joint filers who earn up to $323,200. She said the plan would cut taxes for the middle class by more than $1 billion over the next two years.
Hochul, who is up for reelection next year, also touted previously announced plans to make free school meals universal for students, regardless of their income, and a $3 billion tax rebate plan to counter inflation and prevent private equity firms from buying single-family homes.
“Let me say this — a state of the state address can be full of flowery rhetoric and still fail to address the needs of the people,” Hochul said in remarks at the Hart Theater in Albany. “I believe it needs to be much more than just lofty words. It should be a concrete blueprint that will deliver actual results that the people will feel. Our state has to be livable and the people here have to be able to afford to live in it.”
Hochul also highlighted a new proposal to expand New York’s child tax credit in the speech. She said the plan would give 1.6 million New York families an annual tax credit of up to $1,000 per child up to age three and $500 for kids aged 4 through 16.
The first-term Democrat also revived her quest to build more than 100,000 new homes and expand protections for homeowners and first-time homebuyers. She plans to ask lawmakers to approve $100 million for the effort.
“Housing is the number one driver of our affordability crisis, and the only way to decrease housing costs is to increase supply,” Hochul said. “We need to build and build and build some more.”
Hochul also pledged to beef up NYPD patrols along the New York City subway system, which has been roiled by a series of vicious attacks, including a woman burned to death while sleeping on a train in Coney Island and a man who was randomly pushed onto the subway tracks.
She also proposed a raft of new mental health policies, including a controversial proposal to allow the involuntary commitment of the mentally ill. New York City Mayor Eric Adams is pushing for a similar law.
“Our laws must be stronger, and that’s why I’m willing to stand up and say we need to expand involuntary commitment into a hospital,” Hochul said. “That includes someone who does not have the mental capacity to care for themselves, such as refusing help for the basics — clothing, food, shelter, medical care.”
Details of Hochul’s plans are expected to be revealed as part of her preliminary budget plan, which is set to be released next week. The state’s fiscal year begins April 1.
The affordability proposals come as Hochul gears up for a 2026 reelection bid with low favorability ratings among voters, which has spurred potential challenges from high-profile New York politicians, including Reps. Mike Lawler, a Republican, and Ritchie Torres, a Democrat.
]]>The CBO released its monthly report on federal spending and revenue to show the increase, which is more than double the deficit levels just a few years ago. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the fiscal year deficit did not top $1 trillion.
Now, Americans are in danger of $2 trillion becoming the new normal.
Recently, the federal figures are even worse. According to the CBO, the federal deficit has already hit $710 billion in the fist three months of the fiscal year.
Now, the federal government is on track to have interest payments on the national debt as its single largest expenditure.
So far, lawmakers have shown little sign of planning significant budget cuts.
“Zombie-Congress is headed in a bad direction,” U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., wrote on X Tuesday. “Plan is to pass a tax cut bill (reconciliation) AND a spending increase (omnibus) … This one-two deficit punch will make bond buyers demand more interest to finance existing debt…”
“We will burn billions more in interest!!” he added.
Many economic and fiscal policy experts continue to raise the alarm about the rising deficit as well as the national debt, which is over $36 trillion and is expected to surpass $37 trillion later this year.
“The 5 year US Treasury yield has just hit 5 percent even as the real yield for the same horizon is above 2.6 percent,” Harvard Professor and former Secretary of the Treasury for President Bill Clinton and Director of the National Economic Council for President Barack Obama, wrote on X. “This confirms concerns about looming budget deficits and a rising neutral rate.”
Maya MacGuineas, president of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, pointed out the hypocrisy of Congress celebrating cutting spending last year only to raise it again the following year.
“There is absolutely no just justification for running a $2 trillion deficit in a year when the economy was strong and we were still fighting inflation,” MacGuineas said in a statement. “And what an expensive about face to have gone from 2023 – a year in which Congress passed legislation that reduced the debt by $1.3 trillion over ten years – to 2024, where they increased it by $1 trillion over the decade.”
Federal debt spending helps fuel inflation since debt spending is partially offset by printing more money, thus increasing the money supply and increasing inflation.
“Under Joe Biden, federal powers ballooned, turning states into mere subjects with $2 trillion deficits as a result,” Heritage Fellow Stephen Moore wrote on X.
]]>
(DCNF)—Democratic Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, who ran his vice presidential campaign on defending democracy during the 2024 election, has notably remained silent as Democratic lawmakers in his state are threatening a legislative session boycott to deny GOP lawmakers a quorum to elect a speaker and conduct legislative business.
The start of Minnesota’s legislative session begins Tuesday, but Democratic House lawmakers may not be in attendance after breaking precedent by holding a covert mass swearing-in ceremony Sunday in a location outside of the state capitol with no media present or accompanied press release. Members are usually sworn into office at the state capitol during the first day of the session.
“It was shocking to hear that House Democrats held an unprecedented secret swearing-in ceremony behind closed doors, with no public notice,” Republican Minnesota Rep. Lisa DeMuth, the GOP’s speaker-designate, told the Daily Caller News Foundation in a statement. “If the [Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party] DFL believes what they’re doing is right, why not hold a public swearing-in? They didn’t even confirm it happened until House Republicans called out their actions after the fact.”
House Republican Leaders @LisaDemuthMN and @HarryNiska issued the following statement tonight reacting to Democrats’ unprecedented and illegitimate secret swearing-in ceremony that reportedly occurred this afternoon. pic.twitter.com/ySkJbKEnwc
— MN House Republicans (@mnhousegop) January 13, 2025
Republican lawmakers have criticized Walz, who ran for vice president on a platform to “protect democracy,” for appearing to condone House Democrats’ threats to deny their Republican colleagues a necessary quorum to conduct legislative business on behalf of their constituents that elected them in November.
“It’s outrageous that Tim Walz has given Minnesota Democrat legislators blanket approval for a secret, behind-closed-doors, swearing-in last night (no public, no media) and a green light to not show up for work on Tuesday, the first day of the legislative session,” Republican Minnesota Rep. Pete Stauber wrote on his campaign account on X Monday. “Minnesotans deserve better!”
ANY state legislator who fails to show up for work has no business collecting a taxpayer-funded check. If you can’t do the job, you don't deserve the seat. https://t.co/5VHAHk7K6N
— Tom Emmer (@tomemmer) January 13, 2025
Minnesota House Republicans hold a 67-66 majority heading into the start of this year’s legislative session with one vacancy in a seat previously held by a Democratic lawmaker. The special election for the vacancy is slated to take place on Jan. 28, granting Republican lawmakers at least two weeks during which they will enjoy a majority.
Republican lawmakers argue their current 67-member majority meets a quorum due to the one vacancy in the House, which sets the total number of members to 133. State Democratic lawmakers disagree, arguing the quorum should be set at the usual 68 lawmakers despite the one vacancy, which could prevent Republican lawmakers from conducting legislative business if every Democratic lawmaker boycotts the session.
State House Democratic lawmakers, led by their speaker-designate, Democratic Minnesota Rep. Melissa Horton, are threatening to do everything in their power to deny Republican lawmakers the opportunity from having a quorum to organize a majority and elect a speaker, according to a statement Horton released Monday.
“Denial of quorum is a legitimate parliamentary tactic,” Horton said. “In the event Democrats choose to deny quorum, we wanted to be sure to have all our members properly and legally sworn in and we did that this evening.”
House Republican lawmakers are pledging to move ahead with the beginning of the statehouse’s legislative session even if House Democrats boycott Tuesday’s proceedings.
“Democrats can join us in showing up for work, or they can explain to Minnesotans why they’re getting paid to no-show,” DeMuth added.
Minnesota House Democrats’ potential boycott follows the lead of Texas state Democratic lawmakers who fled the state and boycotted 38 days of the legislative session in 2021 in order to stall the passage of a GOP-backed voting integrity bill.
Walz’s office did not respond to the DCNF’s multiple requests for comment.
All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact [email protected].
]]>During an intense exchange, Whitehouse questioned Bondi about the appropriateness of starting a criminal investigation with a target in mind rather than with evidence of a crime. Bondi responded by highlighting what she perceives as the political targeting of Donald Trump over the last four years, saying, “Senator, I think that is the whole problem with the weaponization that we have seen the last four years and what’s been happening to Donald Trump.”
Bondi used the opportunity to underscore her commitment to fairness and justice, stating, “I will not target people simply because of their political affiliation. Justice will be administered evenhandedly throughout this country. Senator, we’ve got to bring this country back together. We’ve got to move forward, or we’re going to lose our country.”
She further referenced Kevin Clinesmith, a former FBI lawyer who pleaded guilty to altering an email used in the Carter Page FISA application, as an example of misconduct within the DOJ.
Responding to Whitehouse’s concerns about the politicization of the DOJ, Bondi was clear, “Let me give you a really good example of a bad lawyer within the Justice Department, a guy named Clinesmith who altered a FISA warrant. One of the most important things we can do in this country. So will everyone be held to an equal fair system of justice if I am the next attorney general? Absolutely. And no one is above the law.”
Eric Daughtery, Assistant News Director at Florida’s Voice News, commented on the exchange, stating, “Pam Bondi totally flips the script on Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D) who tried to make it seem like she will weaponize the DOJ.”
JUST IN: Pam Bondi totally flips the script on Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D) who tried to make it seem like she will weaponize the DOJ.
Masterclass.
WHITEHOUSE: The DOJ cannot just start with a name, and then look for a crime. You must start with a crime and look for a… pic.twitter.com/Edzzf5Eibt
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) January 15, 2025
The hearing showcased Bondi’s readiness to address criticisms head-on and her determination to advocate for an impartial justice system, earning her praise from conservatives who see her as a strong candidate for attorney general. Bondi is anticipated to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate, with some speculation that she might even garner votes from Democrats due to her previous bipartisan work.
Here is the full exchange.
Article generated from corporate media reports.
]]>Even if other economic indicators show positive signs, there is no way to get around the ballooning debt ratio that threatens both worldwide markets as well as retirement accounts like IRAs and 401(K)s. This is why physical precious metals remain the strongest safe haven assets in these uncertain times.
“The sky-high debt ratio is a cause of serious concern, especially so as it has been increased in a period of extremely low interest rates, a result of central bank policy, and the already existing debt has been refinanced at very low borrowing costs,” said economist Thorsten Polleit.
Tens of thousands of Americans have been taking advantage of tax-deferred rollovers and transfers of their retirement accounts into Genesis Gold IRAs backed by physical gold and silver. They see the stability that precious metals demonstrated after the election and realize that getting ahead of a near-future debt crash makes sense.
Doing so comes with risks as unscrupulous companies have been taking advantage of the uncertainty. They’re offering silver “gifts” or “bonus” silver to entice unsuspecting Americans into paying too much for their precious metals. This is where Genesis Gold Group, a faith-driven company, differentiates itself from other companies.
“Our focus from the beginning has been to help Americans protect their wealth and retirement through sound practices, not gimmicks,” said Jonathan Rose, CEO of Genesis Gold Group. “We don’t play the games that other companies in the industry play and our clients have benefitted from that just as much as they’ve benefitted from our strategies.”
Gold IRAs are not created equal. Genesis has focused on building the proper metals mix that maximizes the safe haven of physical gold and silver. Their 2025 Wealth Protection Kit is now available for free and offers the definitive insights necessary to navigate the uncertainty.
President Trump is poised to guide the country out of the economic quagmire we’ve been in since the pandemic. Genesis Gold Group is uniquely positioned to help Americans advance their retirement accounts and take advantage of safety physical precious metals provide.
]]>“This is an exciting opportunity for us to research, in real time, how a battery electric vehicle performs on patrol,” said Col. James F. Grady II, director of the Michigan State Police.
This is just one part of the state’s wider move towards green energy, with many of the initiatives being a part of its Michigan Healthy Climate Plan.
One goal is to build out the state’s electric vehicle infrastructure to support “2 million EVs on Michigan roads by 2030.”
Aaron Viles, senior director of campaigns for the Electrification Coalition, told The Center Square there is “definitely more to do in order to meet the goal of 2 million EVs.” This includes more state investments into “EV policies that support ever-cleaner transportation fueling options” like electric school buses.
Currently, the first electric parole vehicle will be assigned to the State Security Operations Section to be used by state properties security officers as they parole state-owned and leased facilities in the Lansing area.
It’s unclear if this will eventually lead to a wider adoption of electric vehicles by the Michigan State Police, with Grady acknowledging some of the limitations that electric patrol vehicles might have.
“Our state properties security officers patrol a substantially smaller number of miles per day than our troopers and motor carrier officers, within city limits and at lower speeds,” he said. “Coupled with the availability of charging infrastructure in downtown Lansing, making this the ideal environment to test the capabilities of a police-package battery electric vehicle.”
The vehicle’s performance will be studied as a part of the state police’s Precision Driving Unit, which provides data for police nationwide.
“We began testing battery electric vehicles in 2022, but up until now hybrids were the only alternative fuel vehicle in our fleet,” said Lt. Nicholas Darlington, commander of the unit. “Adding this battery electric vehicle to our patrol fleet will allow us to study the vehicle’s performance long-term to determine if there is a potential for cost savings and broader applicability within our fleet.”
]]>(DCNF)—Republican strategist Scott Jennings clashed with CNN host Abby Phillip Monday night over whether disaster relief aid for wildfires in California should be made “conditional,” requiring policy changes.
The area around Los Angeles has been impacted by multiple wildfires that rapidly spread through Pasadena and other localities, destroying thousands of buildings and leaving at least 24 people dead, prompting criticism of Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom of California from President-elect Donald Trump over the state’s forest management policies. Phillip noted that House Speaker Mike Johnson favored introducing certain conditions for California to receive federal aid to rebuild.
“I said it the night that this started, I said on your show, there ought to be conditions on aid because obviously —” Jennings said, before Phillip interrupted to ask, “So the next time Florida or Louisiana is dealing with a hurricane, you want that aid to be conditional upon Washington dictating policy decisions in those states?”
“I want it to be conditional on knowing whether or not the state of California, in this case, is going to enact local policy decisions on forest management, on water resources management,” Jennings said. “So it doesn’t happen again.”
Trump previously clashed with California officials over forest management during his first term in office after multiple wildfires in the state, accusing the state of failing to engage in “proper Forest Management.”
“Okay, if the Democratic-controlled House decided, ‘You know what, in Florida, they really should not be building those houses on the water, climate change is happening. That aid that we give you is going to be conditional upon you preventing the building of anything along — in all those areas that are prone to hurricanes,’ you would be okay with that?” Phillip asked, with Jennings responding, “If you could pass that through the United States Congress, more power to you.”
Defense attorney Arthur Aidala then cut in as Phillip was asking a follow-up question.
“Hold on, hold on, hold on. I’m the lawyer here. We have rules like that all the time,” Aidala informed Phillip. “You have to build around Coney Island in Brooklyn. If you’re going to build something, it’s got to be built in a certain way so you’re going to get the money.”
“Thank you. So, Arthur is pointing out that is very much something that Congress could do. Would you be okay with that?” Phillip asked Jennings, who responded, “I am not for a blank check to a state that has clearly failed and doesn’t know how to manage fires.”
All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact [email protected].
]]>One of the greatest advantages of sugar is its long shelf life. When stored properly, sugar can last indefinitely, making it an excellent emergency item to store in bulk. For long-term storage, keep sugar in dry, opaque, airtight and moisture/odor-proof containers, such as polyethylene or Mylar bags, food-grade plastic buckets, glass canning jars or #10 cans. (Related: Sugar: Cheap, effective wound treatment with a long shelf life.)
Here are some emergency uses for sugar you may not know of: (h/t to FoodStorageMoms.com)
Accessible source of energy
Sugar can provide quick energy when you need it most. A form of carbohydrate, swallowing even a small amount of sugar can give you enough calories (about four calories per gram) to keep you going. In fact, sugar provides the same amount of energy (16 kilojoules, kJ) per gram as other sources of carbs, such as bread, pasta, rice and fruits.
Natural food preservative
When you use sugar in your homemade jams and jellies, it serves a dual purpose: Not only does it add sweetness, but sugar also helps preserve their color, texture and flavor. Sugar works naturally as a preservative by absorbing water from foods; by reducing their moisture content, sugar creates a less suitable environment for food-spoiling microorganisms to grow. (Related: Food preservation techniques: Keep your pantry stocked for any crisis.)
First aid for wounds
Sugar’s ability to inhibit bacterial growth can also come in handy for treating wounds. Since ancient times, healers have been using sweetening agents like honey, molasses and syrups to clean wounds, prevent infections and promote faster healing. Today, granulated sugar is used in clinical settings to deal with various types of wounds. Sugar, when used to fill a wound, dissolves in tissue fluid, lowering water activity in the wound area which prevents the growth of bacteria.
Emergency hydration
Sugar and salt naturally stimulate cells to take up more water. This is very useful in times of illness when rehydration is needed. If you need to replenish lost electrolytes, you can make an emergency rehydration solution at home by mixing 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of salt, two tablespoons of sugar and juice from half a lemon or orange with four cups of water. The salt will provide sodium while the citrus fruit will provide potassium. Sugar will encourage water uptake and make the solution more palatable.
Excellent barter item
Because of its versatility, sugar makes a great item for trading and bartering when SHTF. Stock up on this valuable commodity so you’ll have plenty to use to your advantage in survival situations. (Related: Bullets, batteries and more: 13 Bartering items to stock up on while preparing for the financial crash.)
Bait for insect traps
Mosquitoes, flies and many other insects are attracted to sugar, making it an excellent bait for homemade insect traps. To deal with pesky mosquitoes without using chemical sprays, set a simple trap using an empty plastic soda bottle and sugar dissolved in water as bait. You can also use sugar water to entrap pesky flies. Alternatively, you can mix a bit of sugar with petroleum jelly in small containers and place these in areas around your home where bugs are most likely to roam. This is a simple yet effective way of dealing with ants and cockroaches.
Fermentation fuel
Fermentation is one of the oldest food preservation methods known to man. It is also a useful natural process that transforms raw food into different kinds of products. You can make healthy ingredients like yogurt and miso, side dishes like sauerkraut and kimchi, or beverages like kombucha and root beer by fermenting the right combinations of fruits and/or vegetables. All you need is a starter culture and sugar to kick-start the fermentation process.
Natural exfoliant
Sugar is often used to make DIY face and body scrubs. Experts say that sugar is an excellent exfoliator that can “slough off dry skin and help with acne,” and is commonly used together with a humectant for moisturizing and a fragrant essential oil with skin-supporting properties for extra benefits and aromatherapy. For a simple scrub that you can use on your lips, simply mix two tablespoons of superfine granulated sugar with one tablespoon of almond oil and one tablespoon of raw honey. Gently massage this mixture across your lips then rinse. (Related: Skincare hacks: Use homemade sugar scrub for radiant-looking skin.)
Energy source for animals
For preppers who are raising livestock in their backyards, sugar is a great emergency food to give to animals if you run out of feed. Just a small amount is enough to keep your animals’ energy up in times of emergency. Apart from being economically advantageous and being a good binding ingredient for animal feed, research also suggests that adding sugar to the diet of cows helps with their digestion and results in higher quality milk and meat yields.
Fertilizer substitute
If you have flowers or vegetables in your home garden that are suffering from nutrient deficiencies or poor sunlight, you can use table sugar as a fertilizer substitute to aid with plant growth. Sugar helps by acting as a food source for beneficial soil microbes to encourage mineralization of nitrogen and other nutrients. This process makes nutrients more available for plant uptake, thus helping revive withering plants. To apply, mix one part table sugar with four parts lukewarm water and lightly dampen the area around the base of the plants to be treated. Use moderately as too much sugar could harm weak roots.
Sugar is a versatile survival item to have in your prepper pantry. It can last indefinitely when stored properly and can be incredibly useful in times of emergencies. Learn more about other items like sugar that are worth stocking up on at Preparedness.news.
Watch this video to learn about the surprising uses of sugar in the garden. This video is from the Daily Videos channel on Brighteon.com.
More related stories:
Reducing daily sugar intake to less than 6 teaspoons found to benefit overall health.
Stockpiling tips: How to store white and brown sugar for the long term.
Natural sweeteners: Healthy alternatives to sugar and artificial sweeteners.
Natural sugar alternatives: How to grow Aztec sweet herb, stevia and sugar cane.
Exploring the best natural sweeteners to enhance your survival stockpile.
Sources include:
]]>There are several reasons why our retirement crisis has become so severe.
First of all, people are living significantly longer than they did decades ago, and so retirees need more money these days.
Secondly, most retirees did not save enough for retirement, and many of them entered their retirement years carrying high levels of debt.
Thirdly, healthcare costs are completely and utterly out of control in this country. We desperately need to do something about this.
Fourthly, high inflation has made the cost of living extremely oppressive.
Fifthly, pension plans are less common then they once were, and so more retirees than ever are depending upon Social Security as their primary source of income.
When you step back and consider the big picture, it is clear that we have a major problem on our hands, and there are no easy solutions.
The following are 18 incredible statistics about America’s retirement crisis that will blow your mind…
- Back in 1940, the average life expectancy of a 65-year-old was about 14 years. Now, it is over 20 years.
- The number of Americans that are 65 and older will rise to about 77 million by 2035.
- Americans that are retiring now will need an average of $1.22 million to last thirty years in retirement.
- Only about half of all U.S. households currently have retirement savings accounts.
- One recent survey found that 93 percent of Republicans, 86 percent of Democrats, and 94 percent of independents believe that there is a retirement savings crisis in this country.
- 47 million U.S. households with older adults are either “financially struggling” or are “at risk of falling into economic insecurity”.
- Approximately 80 percent of Americans have thought about putting off retirement due to financial reasons.
- Over 90 percent of Americans are concerned that they may have to work more years than they originally planned.
- There is supposed to be approximately 2.7 trillion dollars in the Social Security trust fund, but our politicians took all of that money and spent it instead. Today, our Social Security trust fund is simply a colossal pile of government bonds.
- Social Security is the primary source of income for most Americans over the age of 65.
- According to the National Academy of Social Insurance, 33 percent of Social Security recipients receive all or nearly all of their income from Social Security.
- Nearly nine out of ten people age 65 and older are receiving Social Security benefits.
- In 2009, nearly 51 million Americans received $672 billion in Social Security benefits. In 2024, nearly 68 million Americans received $1.5 trillion in Social Security benefits.
- More than 180 million U.S. workers have earnings covered by Social Security, and they pay approximately 1.2 trillion dollars in Social Security payroll taxes.
- As you can see from the previous two items, our Social Security payroll taxes are not enough to cover the amount being paid out in benefits.
- The average Social Security benefit for a retired worker in the U.S. was $1,922 per month in September 2024.
- Back in 1950, each retiree’s Social Security benefit was paid for by 16 workers. In 2010, each retiree’s Social Security benefit was paid for by approximately 3.3 workers. By 2035, it is being projected that there will be approximately 2.4 workers for each retiree.
- Close to 50 percent of all American workers do not believe that the Social Security system will pay them benefits when they retire.
Needless to say, our federal government is facing an unprecedented financial nightmare, and our retirement crisis is a big reason for that.
Social Security accounts for approximately 21 percent of the federal budget, and Medicare accounts for approximately 14 percent. That means that those two programs alone account for more than a third of all federal spending.
The politicians in Washington would never dare to make cuts to those programs, because elderly voters would revolt in a major way.
So if we are going to do anything to get our exploding debt under control, cutbacks will have to occur elsewhere.
But we desperately need to do something, because our 36 trillion dollar national debt is growing very rapidly and it threatens to overwhelm us. We are in so much trouble.
As our debt continues to explode and general economic conditions continue to deteriorate, I expect the plight of our retirees to continue to intensify. And that is not good news for any of us.
Michael’s new book entitled “Why” is available in paperback and for the Kindle on Amazon.com, and you can subscribe to his Substack newsletter at michaeltsnyder.substack.com.
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