Progressive Thinking

Could Musk's $10 million investment into Wisconsin’s Supreme Court election have anything to do with his company, Tesla, suing Wisconsin over a decision preventing it from opening dealerships?

LAKE GENEVA, WI - Elon Musk, the world’s richest man and a close adviser to President Trump, has injected over $10 million into Wisconsin’s Supreme Court election, supporting Republican-backed candidate Brad Schimel.

Musk’s involvement is alarming, as the Wisconsin Supreme Court’s decisions on issues like abortion rights, union organizing, voting regulations, and legislative district boundaries profoundly affect residents.

Critics argue Musk’s financial support for Schimel isn’t just ideological but also self-serving. Tesla, Musk’s company, is suing Wisconsin over a decision preventing it from opening dealerships—a case that could reach the state Supreme Court. If Schimel, bolstered by Musk’s funds, is elected, it raises serious conflict of interest concerns.

Moreover, a Musk-funded group has deployed deceptive advertising tactics in this election. These misleading ads, targeting Democratic-backed candidate Susan Crawford, raise ethical questions about the undue influence of wealthy individuals in judicial elections.

Musk’s actions have escalated the stakes, making this the most expensive judicial contest in U.S. history. His financial power threatens the integrity of our judicial system, undermining public trust in our courts.

For years, Americans have scratched their heads at the unwavering devotion of Trump’s base, but will they wake up as they personally feel the pain of his government?

LAKE GENEVA, WI - For years, Americans have scratched their heads at the unwavering devotion of Trump’s base. Why do people support a leader whose policies leave them worse off? Maybe it’s a case of stubborn pride, or maybe it’s blind loyalty. Either way, history has proven that people don’t wake up until they personally feel the pain. The question is: just how much suffering will it take?

The Economic Scam: Sold as Gold, Delivered as Garbage

Trump’s biggest campaign promise was to ‘fix’ the economy for working-class Americans. Instead, he served up trade wars, tax cuts for billionaires, and reckless deregulation. The result? The very people who chanted his name at rallies are the ones getting crushed.

Trade Wars: A Self-Inflicted Wound

Trump’s trade war with China was supposed to bring back American jobs. Instead, it cost U.S. consumers and businesses more than $80 billion a year. Rural families already scraping by were hit with higher prices on everything from washing machines to groceries—an extra $1,200 per household. Meanwhile, China retaliated by slashing U.S. agricultural imports, leaving American farmers to rot.

The supposed ‘rescue’ package Trump provided? It mostly went to corporate agribusiness, leaving small farmers drowning in debt. Somehow, though, many still believe he’s their savior. Maybe they’ll change their minds when the bank forecloses on their land.

Tax Cuts: The Greatest Heist in U.S. History

Trump’s 2017 tax cuts were sold as a gift to hardworking Americans. The reality? The richest 1% pocketed 83% of the benefits while middle-class workers got crumbs. The cherry on top? The massive deficit created by the cuts has Republicans now calling for reductions to Social Security and Medicare. That’s right—Trump’s policies might just gut the very programs keeping many of his supporters afloat.

Healthcare: If You’re Sick, Too Bad

Trump’s relentless attack on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and Medicaid has left millions in a healthcare crisis. While he failed to fully repeal the ACA, he weakened key provisions, driving up premiums and forcing people off coverage. In rural America, where hospitals rely on Medicaid funding, closures have left entire communities with no local medical care.

Currently, about 5.4 million rural Trump supporters depend on Medicaid or ACA coverage. If Trump has his way, many of them will be forced to make an impossible choice: go bankrupt paying for medical care or go without it altogether.

Immigration: Shooting Themselves in the Foot

Trump’s base loves his hardline immigration stance, but guess what? His deportation obsession has devastated industries that rely on immigrant labor—like agriculture, food processing, and construction. Kicking out undocumented workers doesn’t magically create American jobs; it creates labor shortages, reduces productivity, and sends costs soaring.

Farmers—again, many of whom supported Trump—are now losing billions in GDP because they don’t have workers to harvest their crops. That’s what happens when you believe the lies instead of the economics.

Education: Making Sure the Next Generation Stays Struggling

Trump’s push to shift funding from public schools to private school vouchers is particularly cruel to rural communities. Public schools in these areas are already hanging by a thread, and pulling more funds away will only speed up school closures, larger class sizes, and fewer opportunities for students.

About 8 million Trump supporters live in rural areas with struggling schools. If federal support is cut, good luck getting a decent education or a competitive job. But hey, at least Trump promised to 'Make America Great Again,' right?

Stock Market Crash: The Final Wake-Up Call?

While Trump loved bragging about stock market gains, he’s been suspiciously quiet about the recent downturn. Over the past month, U.S. stocks have lost approximately $5 trillion in value—thanks, in part, to the very economic instability Trump’s policies helped create.

About 58% of American adults—190 million people—have some investment in the stock market, whether directly or through retirement accounts. Middle-class investors and retirees expecting economic security under Trump are now watching their savings drain away. Maybe this will be the breaking point.

How Much More Pain Will It Take?

History shows that political shifts happen when people can’t ignore their own suffering. The Great Depression turned working-class voters toward government intervention. Will it take an economic catastrophe of that scale for Trump’s base to finally wake up?

Will it be when their Social Security checks shrink? When their hospitals close? When they can’t afford groceries? Or will they double down on their loyalty until they have no choice but to face reality?

The Harsh Truth: Reality Doesn’t Care About Your Politics

Trump supporters can chant and wave flags all they want, but reality doesn’t care about slogans. Economic policies that hurt working-class Americans, healthcare cuts that leave millions vulnerable, and financial instability destroying savings—these are real, tangible consequences.

For those still clinging to the illusion, the question remains: will they realize the damage before it’s too late, or will they wait until they’re personally drowning in it?

Only time will tell, but at this rate, the Trump train isn’t slowing down—it’s heading straight off a cliff, and his most loyal supporters are still happily onboard.

How Trump and Musk’s Chaos is Dragging the Economy Down

LAKE GENEVA, WI - The stock market took a nosedive today, and while some analysts will chalk it up to routine fluctuations, the fingerprints of Donald Trump and Elon Musk are all over this latest economic downturn. In their characteristic style—reckless, self-serving, and steeped in manufactured controversy—both men have contributed to an atmosphere of uncertainty that has real financial consequences. The phrase “throwing the baby out with the bathwater” comes to mind because their actions aren’t just harming their enemies; they’re destabilizing the entire system they claim to uphold.

Trump’s Toxic Economic Influence

Donald Trump, the self-proclaimed economic mastermind, has done more harm than good since leaving office. His legal troubles, inflammatory rhetoric, and continued grip on the Republican Party are fueling market instability. Investors don’t like uncertainty, and nothing is more uncertain than a former president facing multiple indictments while still wielding significant influence over policy and public sentiment.

Even before today’s market dip, Trump’s saber-rattling about tariffs, his vendetta against the Federal Reserve, and his threats to disrupt international trade agreements have made investors uneasy. His return to the political stage is not just a threat to democracy but also to economic stability. When Trump speaks, markets listen—and they react accordingly, often with panic.

His recent comments about withdrawing support for NATO and reinstating his disastrous economic policies are already causing international jitters. And let’s not forget the ballooning deficit his tax cuts for the wealthy created. Trump’s economic playbook has always been one of short-term gain for long-term destruction, and we’re watching the consequences play out in real time.

Musk’s Market Manipulation and Corporate Chaos

Elon Musk, meanwhile, continues his transformation from “visionary entrepreneur” to erratic billionaire with a penchant for self-sabotage. Tesla’s stock—once the darling of Wall Street—has suffered dramatic declines, largely thanks to Musk’s own actions. His impulsive decision-making, erratic leadership at Twitter/X, and inability to keep his ego in check have spooked investors.

The most recent blow came as Musk threatened to pull Tesla out of certain markets and continued to antagonize regulatory agencies. His Twitter acquisition, once hyped as a game-changer, has turned into a financial black hole, with ad revenue plummeting and users fleeing. Investors are losing patience with his antics, and today’s market decline reflects that exasperation.

And let’s not forget his involvement in geopolitical controversies. Musk’s interference in international affairs—such as limiting Ukraine’s use of Starlink during wartime—has raised ethical concerns that make investors wary. A CEO with that much unpredictability is a liability, and the markets are reacting accordingly.

The Collateral Damage: An Economy in Turmoil

Between Trump’s political chaos and Musk’s corporate recklessness, the economy is taking a hit. Markets thrive on stability, and right now, stability is in short supply. The average investor is suffering while billionaires continue playing their high-stakes games.

The worst part? This damage is entirely self-inflicted. Neither Trump nor Musk has shown any inclination to rein in their behavior, and if today’s market drop is any indication, their influence will continue to have far-reaching consequences.

At some point, America has to ask itself: How long are we willing to let these two reckless figures dictate the economic future? Because right now, they’re not just throwing the bathwater out—they’re tossing the entire baby, cradle, and nursery along with it.

A shutdown has real consequences for all of us, and the Republican Party will own them.

LAKE GENEVA, WI - Here we go again—another government shutdown looms, and once again, the Republican Party is to blame. They’ve turned dysfunction into their brand, using chaos as a political weapon instead of governing like responsible adults.

This crisis was completely avoidable. The Senate, with bipartisan support, has already passed funding bills. But House Republicans, led by Speaker Mike Johnson, refuse to bring them to a vote. Instead, they’re holding the government hostage to appease their far-right base, prioritizing political stunts over doing their jobs.

What’s at Stake?

A shutdown isn’t just an inconvenience—it has real consequences:

• Federal Workers Won’t Get Paid – TSA agents, law enforcement, and military personnel will work without pay.
• Social Security and VA Services Will Be Delayed – While checks go out, critical support services will slow down.
• Small Businesses Will Suffer – SBA loans will be delayed, hurting entrepreneurs.
• Air Travel Will Be a Mess – Expect long lines, delays, and possible flight disruptions.
• Billions Will Be Lost – The last major shutdown (2018-2019) cost taxpayers $11 billion.

The Republican Playbook: Create Chaos, Blame Democrats

Republicans love to preach about fiscal responsibility, but this shutdown isn’t about the budget—it’s about political games. If they truly cared about spending, they wouldn’t have exploded the deficit under Trump with massive tax cuts for the wealthy. Instead, they push manufactured crises, banking on public frustration to shift blame.

The truth is, today’s GOP is unfit to govern. Speaker Johnson, like his predecessor, is controlled by extremists who care more about posturing than passing legislation. Rather than working toward solutions, Republicans waste time on impeachment stunts and culture wars while letting essential government functions collapse.

Enough is Enough

Americans deserve better. This shutdown is proof—once again—that the Republican Party cannot be trusted with power. If they refuse to govern responsibly, they shouldn’t govern at all.

Come November, remember who is holding the country hostage. Vote them out. It’s time to break this cycle of incompetence and elect leaders who actually believe in doing their jobs.

Six weeks into President Trump's second term, the administration's policies have ignited a series of crises, threatening the very fabric of American society and the resilience of the nation's institutions.

LAKE GENEVA, WI - As we reach the six-week mark of President Donald Trump's second term, the nation finds itself engulfed in a series of escalating crises, each seemingly more severe than the last. The administration's actions have ignited a metaphorical dumpster fire, spreading rapidly across various sectors of American society and governance.

Trade Wars and Economic Turmoil

In a move that has sent shockwaves through the global economy, President Trump imposed a 25% tariff on goods from Mexico and Canada, with an additional 10% tariff targeting China. These measures, initially set to take effect on February 4, were temporarily paused following negotiations but have nonetheless sown uncertainty among businesses and investors. The S&P 500 has erased gains made since the November elections, consumer confidence has plummeted, and the manufacturing sector is experiencing a downturn, leading to widespread economic pessimism.

Foreign Policy: Alienating Allies and Emboldening Adversaries

The administration's foreign policy has been characterized by a mix of isolationism and aggressive posturing. President Trump's threats to withdraw support from NATO allies unless they increase defense spending have strained longstanding alliances. Simultaneously, his overtures toward adversarial nations have raised concerns about the erosion of the post-World War II international order. Historians and commentators have drawn parallels between Trump's approach and past imperialist policies, noting a departure from multilateralism and a potential rupture of the liberal international order.

Domestic Policy: Dismantling Institutions and Social Programs

Domestically, the administration has embarked on an aggressive campaign to reshape federal institutions and social programs. Executive orders have been signed to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives across federal agencies. The Department of Education faces significant funding cuts, with discussions about its potential abolition gaining traction. Additionally, the administration's stance on social issues has led to the rollback of protections for marginalized communities, further polarizing the nation.

Government Shutdown Looms

The possibility of a government shutdown looms large as Congress grapples with passing necessary spending legislation.President Trump's push to downsize the federal government has complicated budget negotiations, raising the specter of furloughs for hundreds of thousands of federal employees and disruptions to essential services. Such a shutdown could have severe implications for GDP growth and exacerbate economic uncertainty.

Public Response: Protests and Political Turmoil

Public reaction to the administration's policies has been intense and polarized. President Trump's recent address to Congress was met with vocal protests, interruptions, and walkouts by Democratic lawmakers. The speech, which outlined plans for significant policy shifts, highlighted deep partisan divides and sparked widespread public demonstrations.

Navigating the Inferno

Six weeks into President Trump's second term, the nation finds itself navigating a complex and volatile landscape. The administration's policies have ignited a series of crises that collectively resemble a raging dumpster fire, threatening to consume the very fabric of American society. As these challenges continue to unfold, the resilience of the nation's institutions and the resolve of its citizens will be tested in unprecedented ways.