T W I W C

Author: William Concernwell

  • Truth Or Consequences – September 2025

    Truth Or Consequences – September 2025

    September 26, 2025

    The 2025 extension of Trump’s tax cuts mostly helps wealthy Americans and big businesses, locking in big breaks for folks making over $450,000 a year and corporations. Regular families get some relief with bigger standard deductions and a bump in child tax credits, but many low-income Americans see cuts in programs like Medicaid and food assistance and they may pay more out of pocket.

    Some lawmakers, especially those with investments in real estate and businesses (and their donors) benefit directly from the cuts, raising concerns that the whole thing’s designed to line pockets rather than help average people. The bill also makes it easier for the super-rich to dodge estate taxes when passing down wealth, widening the gap between the rich and everyone else.

    In the end, while it’s sold as a win for everyone, the real winners are the wealthy and politically connected—the rest get the leftovers and foot the bill.

    SOURCES

    https://taxpolicycenter.org/features/2025-tax-cuts-tracker

    https://www.cnbc.com/2025/03/03/who-benefits-from-trump-tax-cuts-and-jobs-act-extension.html

  • Congress Sidelines

    Congress Sidelines

  • Unraveling

    Unraveling

  • Lawmakers

    Lawmakers

  • Judges Lean Partisan

    Judges Lean Partisan

    Sep 21, 2025

    Samuel Alito, known for reliable votes supporting right-wing and executive power positions, has been scrutinized over undisclosed trips and connections to conservative advocacy groups (as well as flag controversies involving his household). He is statistically the court’s most conservative justice. [1]

    Justice Clarence Thomas is extremely conservative, nearly always aligns with Alito and is a frequent leader of the most partisan bloc. His repeated headlines about unreported gifts, luxury trips, and financial benefits from conservative donors have raised major ethical concerns in 2024 and 2025, with Senate hearings and investigative journalism coverage. [2]

    Neil Gorsuch often aligns with the conservative bloc of Thomas and Alito on key issues. Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett are also conservative but are perceived as somewhat more moderate. John Roberts, the Chief Justice, has shifted right but remains the likely conservative swing vote, occasionally siding with liberals in close cases.

    By contrast, Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan, and Ketanji Brown Jackson are seen as left-leaning but have mostly stayed out of major ethics controversies. Their dissenting opinions align with Democratic views.

    The combination of ethical concerns and partisan leanings fuels distrust and threatens the Court’s role as a fair, impartial guardian of democracy. The consequences of this erosion are felt by everyday Americans in their rights, protections, and faith in government institutions.

    SOURCES

    https://www.newsweek.com/clarence-thomas-samuel-alito-ethics-violations-found-new-senate-probe-2004585

    How ProPublica Exposed Ethics Scandals at the US Supreme Court
  • Party Control Runs Deep

    Party Control Runs Deep

  • Kingmaker

    Kingmaker

  • Legal Backbone

    Legal Backbone

    Sep 20, 2025

    The Supreme Court’s 41% approval rating in 2025 shows a divide between Republicans, who support the Court, and Democrats, who do not trust it, harming its impartiality and public confidence in important rulings.

    Historically, landmark cases like Brown v. Board of Education and Miranda v. Arizona show the power of an impartial Court to protect the rights of everyday Americans and uphold justice for all. These decisions broadened educational access and ensured fairness in legal proceedings, illustrating how balanced judicial leadership strengthens society. But today, the Court’s perceived politicization endangers its ability to perform that role effectively, leaving many Americans skeptical about whether justice truly is blind.

    When trust erodes, it weakens the Court’s power, increases social divisions, and threatens equal protection, making it vital for the judiciary to rebuild its independence and credibility.

  • Partisan Power Grab

    Partisan Power Grab

    Sep 20, 2025

    Everyday Americans stand to lose much when federal agencies lose their expertise, independence, and ability to operate free from partisan interference. It can mean slower services, weaker protections, and policies that don’t reflect the diverse needs of the population.

    This is why it matters deeply who speaks for the people in Congress and how vigorously lawmakers hold the executive branch accountable for protecting public interests, not just advancing political agendas.

    SOURCES

    https://www.politico.com/news/2025/01/29/trump-federal-spending-freeze-project-2025-007378

    https://www.apha.org/topics-and-issues/public-health-under-threat/project-2025

    https://www.govexec.com/transition/2025/04/project-2025-wanted-hobble-federal-workforce-doge-has-hastily-done-and-more/404390/

  • Bowing Down

    Bowing Down

    Sep 20, 2025

    Project 2025, supported by far-right groups, seeks to reform key federal agencies and replace career civil servants with loyal appointees. This could silence ordinary Americans and lead to unchecked actions by the government. It could result in cuts to social programs, reduced regulations, and increased militarization of law enforcement, affecting healthcare, education, and public safety. Congress backing these changes weakens its role as a check on power. There is a great need for citizens to push for government transparency and accountability.

    SOURCES

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_2025

    https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c977njnvq2do

    Project 2025, Explained