Author: Thomas L. Knapp

The President Is Losing Control of Himself

Source: The Atlantic
by Tom Nichols

“Presidents often lose control over their agenda, or the policy process, or pieces of legislation. Sometimes, they even lose control of their party. But Donald Trump seems to have lost control over the one thing every person, and especially those with immense power, should always maintain control over: himself. Yesterday the president called for the arrest and execution of elected American officials for the crime — as he sees it — of fidelity to the Constitution. … In what must be a first for any White House official, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt had to step forward and answer whether the president of the United States wants to kill members of Congress.” (11/21/25)

https://archive.is/rgiY4

Thomas L. Knapp

Judge hits pause on IRS sharing taxpayer information with ICE gang

Source: NBC News

“A Washington, D.C., federal judge on Friday temporarily blocked the IRS from sharing taxpayer information with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, finding the practice ‘unlawful.’ The court ‘concludes that the Plaintiffs have shown a substantial likelihood that the IRS’s adoption of the Address-Sharing Policy and the IRS’s subsequent sharing of taxpayer information with ICE were unlawful under the Administrative Procedure Act,’ U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly wrote in a 94-page ruling. ‘Furthermore, Plaintiffs have shown that the IRS’s disclosure of confidential taxpayer address information to ICE was contrary to law because it violated several provisions of Internal Revenue Code,’ the judge wrote. The order indicated that in early August, the IRS disclosed information about nearly 47,000 taxpayers.” (11/21/25)

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/immigration/judge-issues-order-blocking-irs-sharing-taxpayer-information-ice-rcna245262

Thomas L. Knapp

The Hypocrisy of Social Democracy: Hidden Intentions

Source: Ludwig von Mises Institute
by Roham Jaberi

“Almost all the rhetoric of social democracy today, especially its American version, boils down to this implicit statement: ‘Free market capitalism is great as long as it financially supports us and our campaigns. But for you common folks, it’s a lethal poison!’ Thus, free market capitalism can be turned into a monopolized private club for billionaire sponsors, allowing them to keep enjoying its benefits, and financing certain agendas, while imposing socialism on the people. This is just to make sure the spillover effects of the free market economy will not elevate people to a position where they might dare to rise against the elite, monopolized club.” (11/21/25)

https://mises.org/power-market/hypocrisy-social-democracy-hidden-intentions

Thomas L. Knapp

Misusing Trade Agreements

Source: EconLog
by Peter Calcagno & Beatriz Maldonado

“Generally, trade agreements promote trade liberalization, which can have numerous positive effects, including fostering long-term economic growth, increasing foreign investment, and even initiating positive institutional change. Economist Russell Sobel argues that trade openness is a critical first mover in improving economic freedom. Liberalizing trade and improving economic freedom can reduce corruption or generate moral behavior. Corruption reduction could emerge from formal institutional changes (e.g., laws and legislation) or informal ones emerging from increased business with a less corrupt country.” (11/21/25)

https://www.econlib.org/library/columns/y2025/calcagnomaldonadotrade

Thomas L. Knapp

France: Assembly rejects contentious budget bill over tax proposals

Source: France 24 [French state media]

“The French lower house rejected parts of the 2026 budget bill on Saturday, leaving open whether the politically fragmented parliament, under pressure from investors to reduce a budget deficit, can strike a deal before the end of the year. After the rejection of the income part of the budget – which deals with taxation – the bill now heads to the Senate, which is expected to strip out many amendments already added by the National Assembly. Both chambers must agree for the budget to pass without the government resorting to special constitutional powers. Once the Senate completes its review, a joint committee will attempt to broker a compromise.” (11/22/25)

https://www.france24.com/en/france/20251122-french-lawmakers-roundly-reject-budget-bill-text-moves-senate

Thomas L. Knapp

The Genesis of Israeli Ultra-apartheid

Source: Antiwar.com
by Dan Steinbock

“Unlike South African apartheid which backed supremacy and exploitation, Israeli apartheid condones ethnic cleansing, even mass atrocities — as evidenced by the obliteration of Gaza and anti-Palestinian violence in the West Bank.” (11/21/25)

https://original.antiwar.com/dan_steinbock/2025/11/20/the-genesis-of-israeli-ultra-apartheid/

Thomas L. Knapp