Inside the Ring Road: ‘How Biden Stole Christmas’

NEWS AND NOTICES:

So wasn’t the Grinch who got away with one of the nation’s favorite holidays? Was he an American president? An analyst thinks it’s true.

Isabelle Morauxwhich covers spending and regulatory reform for Americans for Tax Reform, offers plenty of evidence in an essay titled “How Biden Stole Christmas: Americans Are Preparing for the Most Expensive Christmas Yet.”

“With Christmas fast approaching, Americans should prepare for a significant increase in holiday costs. Below President Biden, Americans will pay more for Christmas trips, gifts, trees and dinner than in any previous year. As a result, families are tightening their budgets – Americans are expected to buy just nine gifts this year, compared to 16 last year,” Ms Morales reports.

She also cited a Bankrate.com survey that found that of the 43% of American adults planning to travel this holiday season, 79% are changing their plans this year due to inflation and rising prices. A separate Bankrate analysis also found prices were up on 88% of the staples that typically make up Christmas dinner – baked goods, turkey, meats and sweets.

“Due to high inflation, Americans across the country are being forced to compromise on family traditions and quality time with each other,” Ms. Morales wrote.

Of course, what is most frustrating is that these results were preventable. The “policies of the Biden administration are largely responsible for inflation. President Biden has passed bills and executive orders that pay Americans not to work, expand tax credits, suspend federal student loan repayments, cancel the Keystone pipeline, and more. by Democratic lawmakers.

“To the detriment of Americans’ quality of life and financial security, Democrats have repeatedly pushed for harmful tax hikes and unnecessary spending. As a result, the American people will receive coal this Christmas,” Ms. Morales concluded.

Others agree.

“Inflation is a curmudgeon. Americans are cutting back on spending on holiday gifts,” MarketWatch.com reported.

SINEMASCOPE

There was a lot of hand wringing and shouting among various observers above Sen. Kirsten Sinemato leave the Democratic Party and declare that she is independent.

Meanwhile, there was a round of polite applause, a few smirks, and maybe some schadenfreude among Republicans.

The event, however, was loud enough to give the media something to do. Here’s a selection of relevant Sinematic titles from the past 72 hours to ponder:

“Sinema Adds Intrigue and Democratic Fury to Arizona’s 2024 Senate Race” (The New York Times); “Don’t Worry, Be in the Majority: Democrats Ignore Sinema’s Switch” (Politico); “Why Democrats Won’t Punish Sinema’s Betrayal, At Least For Now” (Washington Post); “Sinema’s break with the Democratic Party may not help her as much as she would like” (National Public Radio); “Sinema’s move to independent complicates Democrats’ 2024 strategy” (Bloomberg); “Kyrsten Sinema’s party switch may not matter much in Congress – but it could help him win in Arizona” (Time); and “Kyrsten Sinema going independent could also mean going right” (MSNBC).

Oh, and here’s one last headline: “Beware of ‘independent’ Sinema”, which complements a comment by John Gizzichief political columnist and White House correspondent for Newsmax.

“Perhaps this will be a growing trend of formerly Democratic senators claiming an ‘independent’ mantle – while changing nothing but their title,” Gizzi advised.

SCIENTIFIC CORNER

Have brilliant minds found indestructible dream material? Imagine a luxury vehicle – or a US Army tank for that matter – doing this stuff.

“Scientists say they have measured the highest toughness ever recorded, of any material, while studying a metal alloy composed of chromium, cobalt and nickel (CrCoNi). Not only is the metal extremely ductile – which in materials science means highly malleable – and impressively tough (meaning it resists permanent deformation), but its strength and ductility improve as it cools. runs counter to most other existing materials,” reports ScienceDaily.com in an analysis of the complex results.

The team of researchers from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and Oak Ridge National Laboratory published the study describing the breakthrough findings in the journal Science on December 1.

The researchers predict the alloy could be used in deep space, where temperatures can reach -455 degrees Fahrenheit. Yes, it’s “less”.

The team is also studying how alloys made of more abundant and cheaper elements – they point out that there is a global shortage of cobalt and nickel due to their demand in the battery industry – could be made to have similar properties,

THE CITIZEN TO CELEBRATE

A notable upcoming event will honor the town of Alexandria, Virginia, and it’s very much in touch with the beautiful days of yesteryear.

The Alexandria Citizens Band – one of the nation’s oldest all-volunteer community groups – will soon help the city, founded in 1749, celebrate the season.

“The Alexandria Citizens Band is thrilled to wrap up its 110th year with our 5th Annual Holiday Concert on Friday, December 16 at 7:30 p.m. This free family concert has become a holiday tradition in the Alexandria area,” advises Chef of orchestra. mike evansin a statement to Inside the Beltway.

Their concert is at the Del Ray United Methodist Church in Alexandria, founded in 1893. Cheers to all. Find the band on Alexandriacitizensband.org

SURVEY OF THE DAY

• 66% of American adults disapprove of the way President Biden manages inflation.

• 63% disapprove of the way he manages the US economy.

• 61% disapprove of the way it handles immigration.

• 60% disapprove of the way he handles gun policy.

• 54% disapprove of the way he handles his job as US president.

• 49% disapprove of his handling of the war in Ukraine.

• 49% disapprove of his handling of “protecting democracy in America”.

SOURCE: A CNN/SSRS poll of 1,208 U.S. adults conducted Dec. 1-7.

• Follow Jennifer Harper on Twitter @HarperBulletin.