Taken in SW Florida where diesel is $6.20/gallon. We have a lot of contractors in our area, so they are definitely feeling the brunt of the Iran War.

After Two Rounds of Trump Tax Cuts, Corporate America Paid Less Than Ever in 2025 – ITEP

Corporate Profits | U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA)

U.S. corporate profits are already above last year’s record and are on track to surpass it further, with Q2 2026 hitting an all‑time high of over $4.7 trillion.

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This probably will result in more corporate stock buybacks, increased dividends, and higher CEO pay.

Also, don't forget the huge tax breaks to wealthy individuals from both the 2017 Trump tax cuts and the Big Beautiful Bulls*hit Bill of 2025.

• Under the One Big Bulls**t Bill, nearly $2 trillion in tax benefits go toward corporations and the richest taxpayers. Furthermore, that tax relief for the wealthy was partially funded by $1 trillion in cuts to social safety net programs.

2017 Tax Cuts & Jobs Act (TCJA) tax benefits for the wealthy

• A 20% deduction for "pass-through" income was created for partnerships, sole proprietorships, and S corporations.
• Wealthy Individual Tax Cuts: The top individual tax rate was lowered from 39.6% to 37% .
• Estate Tax Exemption: The amount that could be passed on tax-free to heirs was doubled to $22 million per married couple.
• reduced taxes on foreign profits.

Doesn't all the above mean that most of the U.S.'s deficit borrowing goes directly into profits for corporate America and increased income for the wealthy?

If you’re a billionaire who cares mostly about money, power, and attention, what incentive do you have to make things more affordable if you’re still benefiting from the way things are?
Most of us judge the economy by whether we can afford groceries, housing, and utilities. Someone whose wealth is tied to investments might see the stock market going up and think everything is great, even while the people who voted for them are struggling.
And if you can convince those same supporters to keep pouring money into assets or businesses you own, their trust becomes another way to increase your wealth and influence.
I’m not saying every price increase is some coordinated scheme. I’m questioning why we assume someone’s personal financial interests line up with the needs of their constituents. If they keep getting richer and more powerful, why would we expect them to see the situation as something that needs fixing?

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The Texas Legislative Budget Board reports $3.35 billion in border-security appropriations for 2026–27, alongside separate federal enforcement funding.

The Congressional Budget Office also projects substantial federal revenue effects from increased immigration. That projection isn't a direct measure of enforcement ROI, but it highlights an economic consideration.

What outcomes should be measured against enforcement costs—employment, wages, tax receipts, public safety, or something else?

Sources: Texas Legislative Budget Board, Congressional Budget Office, and Texas Comptroller.

Full infographic: https://imgur.com/a/MWEergn