Months after California passed a law mandating that restaurants pay their employees a minimum wage of $20 an hour, the state’s fast food workers are demanding another increase. They don’t consider the fact that a lot of businesses are folding because of these increases, and they will be out of work entirely. Some are automating […] The post SEIU Demands an Increase After the Hourly Wage Increase in California appeared first on www.independentsentinel.com.

At a moment when the state of Israel is under siege from all sides, former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich (R-GA), the architect of the “Contract with America” that led to the Republican Party gaining control of the House of Representatives for the first time in 40 years in 1994, stated bluntly, “Israel’s survival and America’s survival are linked.” “The future history of our civilization is currently being written in the Middle East,” Gingrich declared. “The Israeli Defense Forces are deeply committed to urban warfare against Hamas in Gaza. Israel is also engaged in selective strikes against Hamas and Hezbollah leaders in Lebanon and Iran – and punitive strikes against the Houthis in Yemen. At the same time, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is threatening retaliatory strikes against Israel.” The long term survival of a nation requires three elements of strategic planning, Gingrich posited. “A country’s security must be adequate and prepared to fight this year. … The second level considers the next 15 years. What are the indicators of potential danger? What would be required to overwhelm those indicators? And is the country prepared to make the investments, restructuring, and planning to achieve survival? The third level for survival is long term. Is the country managing its environment over time in such a way that it is more likely to survive than be overwhelmed?” “Two-out-of-three is not enough – and anything less is a potential crisis,” he warned. WATCH THE TRAILER FOR ‘AM I RACIST?’ — A MATT WALSH COMEDY ON DEI “Anti-Israeli forces are inherently anti-American,” he pointed out. “Israel’s war is America’s war. We have as great a vested interest in ensuring that Israel survives on every front against the Houthi, Hamas, Hezbollah, Iran, and others as we would if it was Maine or California.” “When the leadership of Hamas says, ‘not a single Jew will remain,’ I think that’s really clear, and Israel should take it seriously. When Iran’s Parliament chants ‘Death to America’ – and the Ayatollah explains on Iranian television that this is policy, not a slogan – a rational America should take that seriously,” he asserted.”When Iranian proxies being targeting Americans abroad, we can’t ignore that.” “If Israel is defeated, all our shared enemies will become stronger – and they will continue attacking us. They will not be appeased or sated,” he opined. “Israel’s survival requires precisely the strategic planning efforts that America needs. We cannot focus solely on winning kinetic wars or the immediate threats in front of us (although they are important). We must focus on winning the cultural, political, and economic arguments at home and abroad – and we must do so decisively.” He concluded. “We must be at least as tough as our opponents, because they will wipe us out if they get a chance. Make no mistake, our entire civilization is at stake. We must be prepared to defend it with the intensity it is worth.”

The Biden-Harris administration recently proposed capping rent price increases at 5%. The cap would apply to any landlord that owns more than 50 units, which equates to 20 million rental units nationwide, or roughly 50% of the nation’s total units. I suspect that all Americans agree with the goal of keeping essentials like food, housing, and healthcare affordable. Unfortunately, the proposed price controls – rooted in bad economic assumptions and perhaps some technophobia – are likely to do the opposite. A third of American households rent, roughly half of which devote over 30% of their income to this monthly bill. These renters are frustrated. Rent inflation is 80% higher under Biden-Harris than in the Trump years. And it’s worse in the swing states, where rents have more than doubled over the past four years. The administration seems to believe its rent cap will counterbalance what it describes as excessive landlord profits, which it contends have come in part from their increasing use of algorithms i.e., computer programs that suggest rental prices based on supply and demand estimates. The excess profit accusation is simply wrong. In an attempt to corroborate its claim, the White House cited Mid-America Apartment Communities and AvalonBay Communities for their respective 6% and 18% increases in profits during the first quarter of 2024. However, the White House conveniently ignored these companies’ respective 15.5% and 18.3% profit declines in 2023. The administration’s stoking fears about algorithmic pricing, including through initiating Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission investigations, is also misplaced. Today, across most industries, algorithms — powered by machine learning and artificial intelligence — are analyzing large swaths of data to formulate business-guiding insights. Even governments have gotten into the act by using algorithms for numerous purposes, including pricing services. While information generated by these algorithms may sometimes indicate to users that prices can increase, they may also signal that prices should decrease. Better information on consumers and costs improves price efficiency, and that benefits everyone. Indeed, PricewaterhouseCoopers projects that AI will give North America a nearly 15% economic growth boost by 2030 in part due to the improved price efficiency generated by AI. The housing market has a supply problem, not a price-gouging or technology problem. Since 2012, the U.S. has created about four million fewer housing units than new households, which led to shortages that drove up prices. Prices will subside when housing supply responds. Austin, TX, serves as an instructive example. In the last three months of 2023, builders pulled 3,890 single-family building permits (a 25% increase from the same period in 2022) and 5,866 multifamily permits (a 34% increase). Between May 2023 and 2024, prices fell by 6%. Rather than craft rent control policies around assumptions of bad behavior and purported negative effects of algorithms, which the government itself uses and hopes to use more, the Biden-Harris administration should address America’s housing problems from the supply-side perspective. The White House’s choice to instead impose new government controls on rents will only decrease housing construction. Builders are already constructing more high-end units than affordable housing units. That is why, since 2012, the number of units renting for less than $1,000 per month in the U.S. has declined by 6.1 million units while the number of units renting for at least $1,400 grew by 8.4 million units. If the Biden-Harris administration’s rent price cap becomes law, this disparity will grow larger. Builders will have even less incentive to develop new affordable housing options at the new, mandatory discount rate. The lesson is clear: Market incentives alleviate price and availability problems. More government does not. Hopefully, the Biden-Harris administration comes to the realization sooner rather than later. * * * Dr. Mark A Jamison is a nonresident senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, where he works on how technology affects the economy. He is also the Director of the Digital Markets Initiative (DMI) at the University of Florida, where he focuses on competition policy and regulation of information technologies, institutional development in regulation, and competition and innovation in the information sectors. The views expressed in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the Daily Wire.

Israel is currently bracing for revenge attacks from Iran and Hezbollah after the Jewish state carried out high-profile assassinations of terrorist leaders in Iran and Lebanon. As President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are planning to gather in the Situation Room, Israel reassures its citizens, and Iran ramps up its rhetoric, here’s what you need to know.   How We Got Here Tensions began escalating when Hezbollah killed 12 Druze children on a soccer field in Israel with a missile last month. In response, Israel last week assassinated top Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr, also known as Hajj Mohsin, who also played a central role in the 1983 bombing of the U.S. Marine Corps Barracks in Beirut, which killed 241 U.S. military personnel. The U.S. government had a  $5,000,000 reward for anyone who provided information on Shukr. The next day, Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh was killed in Tehran, where he attended the inauguration of Iran’s new president, Masoud Pezeshkian. Iran denies a New York Times report claiming an explosive was planted in Haniyeh’s room two months in advance, and instead is adamant a “short-range projectile” was used. Israel did not take credit for the assassination of Haniyeh, though Israel does not always comment on targeted killings.   Revenge Both Hezbollah and Iran have vowed to take revenge on Israel after the assassinations. Iran in particular takes issue with Haniyeh being killed on its territory.   Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, took to X after Haniyeh was killed, saying Israel will face a “severe punishment” and that it was Iran’s “duty to take revenge.”  Following this bitter, tragic event which has taken place within the borders of the Islamic Republic, it is our duty to take revenge. — Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) July 31, 2024 Khamenei posted a video of him meeting with family members of Haniyeh, stating he led a funeral prayer over “martyr” Haniyeh’s body. It is unclear if Iran and Hezbollah will attack independently or coordinate.   What’s Happened So Far Hezbollah has fired rockets at Israel since the assassinations, part of the terror group’s near-constant attacks on border areas since Hamas’ Oct. 7 invasion of Israel. These attacks are not thought to be Hezbollah’s promised act of revenge, as they fit an ongoing pattern of trading fire. Israel has taken steps to brace for the attack, introducing a new alert system to send geographically-targeted cell phone messages to citizens in case of emergency. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant held a situation assessment with the Israeli Air Force on Monday. There, he reportedly told commanders that “our enemies are carefully considering their every move” because of the IDF’s capabilities and that they will be “prepared for anything — including a swift transition to offense.” Major General Ori Gordin, the commanding officer of Northern Command on Sunday, said that Israel’s “offensive plans are ready” and that all units are prepared “down to the last soldier.” WATCH THE TRAILER FOR ‘AM I RACIST?’ — A MATT WALSH COMEDY ON DEI Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said yesterday that Israel is in a “multi-front war against Iran’s axis of evil” and that it is “prepared for every scenario — both offensively and defensively.” Many airlines have canceled flights to Israel, and numerous countries, including the United States, are encouraging their citizens to leave Lebanon immediately. The United States last week raised its travel advisory for Lebanon to “Level 4: Do Not Travel.” Iran advised incoming aircraft to change their routes due to the dangers of flying to parts of its country in a Notice to Air Missions on Monday. The United States ramped up its military presence in the region to keep its “ironclad commitment to the defense of Israel,” Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh said on Friday. According to Singh, an additional fighter jet squadron has been deployed, along with ballistic missile defense-capable cruisers and destroyers. Measures are also being taken to enhance readiness for deploying land-based ballistic missile defenses.   How Are Other Countries Responding Biden on Monday had a call with King Abdullah II of Jordan, and will convene his national security team, including Harris, in the Situation Room in the afternoon. Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi made a rare trip to Iran Sunday amid concerns the nation will attempt to fire missiles at Israel through Jordan’s airspace. In April, Saudi Arabia and Jordan are believed to have assisted in shooting down Iranian missiles that were fired in response to Israel’s killing of a top Iranian general. This time it is believed the nations may be less willing to support Israel, as the assassination is linked to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, rather than just Iran, with whom many neighboring Arab nations have tense relations. Secretary of State Antony Blinken reportedly told his G7 counterparts that the impending attack could begin as early as Monday, Axios reported. Several countries, including the United States, France, Britain, Italy, and Egypt, have been working behind the scenes to minimize regional escalation, according to The Times of Israel.

As U.S. stock markets took a nosedive, news broke on Monday morning that senior economics adviser Gene Sperling was leaving the White House. Sources told the Associated Press that Sperling was transitioning to Vice President Kamala Harris‘ presidential campaign after President Joe Biden ended his re-election bid and Harris clinched the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination. While the report couched Sperling’s move as one to “challenge” former President Donald Trump on policy issues, many on social media noted the timing. The Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq indexes all dropped in the morning hours amid what The Wall Street Journal called a “global selloff.” “Heck of a day for Biden’s economic advisor Gene Sperling to leave,” The Daily Mail senior political reporter Charlie Spiering said in a post to X. Heck of a day for Biden's economic advisor Gene Sperling to leave pic.twitter.com/txgLJop1K2 — Charlie Spiering (@charliespiering) August 5, 2024 “REMINDER: SS Kamalanomics is a sinking ship,” quipped conservative commentator Steve Guest. “Great timing bud,” said Students for Trump co-chair Ryan Fournier, who also included a facepalming emoji. BREAKING: Biden’s top economic advisor, Gene Sperling announced he is leaving the WH today. Great timing bud. ??‍♂️ — Ryan Fournier (@RyanAFournier) August 5, 2024 “Like rats fleeing a sinking ship,” said social media influencer Rogan O’Handley, better known as “DC Draino.” Former ESPN anchor Sage Steele responded to the news by simply posting an emoji showing a “Flushed Face,” evoking concern. ? https://t.co/mrSoaSDbNv — Sage Steele (@sagesteele) August 5, 2024 “Biden’s top economic advisor, Gene Sperling announced today that he’s leaving the White House to work on Kamala’s campaign…,” said comedian Tim Young. “So if you like how s***ty the economy is now… you’re definitely getting another 4 years of it if she gets elected.” The White House released a statement from President Joe Biden that praised Sperling for his work in the administration. WATCH THE TRAILER FOR ‘AM I RACIST?’ — A MATT WALSH COMEDY ON DEI “Under Gene’s leadership, the American Rescue Plan has delivered economic relief to cities and counties across the country, protected millions of union pensions, made the largest-ever federal investment in public safety, and kept thousands of small businesses afloat,” Biden said. The Republican National Committee’s “Research” account on X shared a video showing Harris delivering remarks along with the hashtag “KamalaCrash.” "Bidenomics. Ha ha ha ha! That is called Bidenomics — and we are very proud of Bidenomics!" — Kamala Harris#KamalaCrash pic.twitter.com/JwXWeePr1m — RNC Research (@RNCResearch) August 5, 2024 In the clip, Harris said, “All that, ladies and gentlemen and everyone else — that is called Bidenomics.” After laughing amid some applause, she added, “That is called Bidenomics — and we are very proud of Bidenomics!”

The LaFond family is full of incredible athletes. While Chreign is a junior defensive end for the Navy football team, his sister, Thea, is an Olympic athlete competing in Paris. Here, this track and field star had her eyes set on taking home a medal for her home country, the Caribbean island nation of Dominica. And thanks to years of hard work and dedication, she earned a gold medal in the Women’s Triple Jump! Earning a gold medal is always worth celebrating, of course, but this win was particularly special to Thea. Why? Because it’s the very first Olympic medal earned for Dominica! As you can imagine, Thea’s loved ones couldn’t be more thrilled, Chreign included. His wholesome reaction was even caught on camera. He received this life-changing news during practice. Watch this unforgettable (and emotional) moment in the video below! @theplayerstv Thea LaFond won gold in the triple jump today – Dominica’s first-ever Olympic medal. Her brother is a DT at Navy, when he found out she won #olympics #triplejump #navy #football #fyp #thealafond ♬ original sound – The PlayersTV As soon as Chreign is told about Thea’s accomplishment, he can barely keep upright. Then, all at once, his teammates erupt in applause! In that moment, it truly feels like Thea is their sister, too. This feeling only intensifies when they gather around Chreign who, at this point, can’t even be seen in the massive crowd. This Navy Football Player’s Reaction to His Sister’s Olympic Gold Medal Has Us All in Tears In addition to earning her country’s first medal, Thea made history in another way. With a jump of 15.02 meters, she set a new national record! This big win came after she competed in two previous Olympic games, the 2016 Rio de Janeiro games and the 2020 Tokyo games. “I love how supportive they are even though it wasn’t for the USA… that’s sportsmanship!!” someone points out in the comment section of the video, with another adding, “Being proud of your sibling’s accomplishments is one of the most strongest feelings you could ever feel.” You can find the source of this story’s featured image here! The post Navy Football Player Has Sob-Worthy Reaction To Finding Out His Sister Won An Olympic Gold Medal appeared first on InspireMore.

When this woman bought flowers from Publix on sale, she wasn’t expecting an employee to take such incredible care with her order. However, even though it wasn’t an expensive purchase, he still treated her like royalty! She was so impressed with his customer service, she posted a video about him on social media. Now, commenters are clamoring for this young man to be recognized for his excellent work! In the clip, the Publix employee carefully arranged the customer’s flowers into a stunning bouquet, complete with brown wrapping paper and ribbon. The woman panned the camera back to herself, showing her reaction to the extra effort. She looked totally touched! “When a Publix worker dedicated to his job makes your 3 for 12 flowers into a trimmed, arranged, beautifully wrapped bouquet and you realize how special the little things really are,” she wrote in her video. This Publix employee transformed her flowers into the most gorgeous bouquet. @raeinflorida The bar is on the floor with customer service these days so to say i was in awe and overjoyed is an understatement. But seriously so so precious and kind!!! If ur single ill tell you where he’s at #publixworker #flowers #thelittlethings #thebarisonthefloor #lovelanguages #kindness #romantic ♬ trees and flowers by strawberry switchblade – Eissej Later in the clip, this customer shared some close-up footage of the finished bouquet. It was truly lovely! Quite a few commenters urged the woman to let Publix know how one of their employees made her day with these sweetly wrapped flowers. “I have worked for Publix for 20 years,” wrote one user. “Please let managers know when associates go the extra mile. They do get rewarded! You can take it a step further and contact corporate, they will recognize too!” Screengrab from TikTok Another commenter shared a similarly heartwarming story about Publix employees who went out of their way for a customer. “I had open heart surgery as a kid, when I woke up all I wanted was bacon,” the person recalled. “My grandfather went to Publix and they cooked a whole pack of bacon in the break room so he didn’t need to go home and cook it.” What an unforgettable act of kindness! We hope these Publix workers receive all the credit in the world for their amazing service. You can find the source of this story’s featured image here. The post Dedicated Grocery Store Employee Goes Above & Beyond For Customers In The Sweetest Way appeared first on InspireMore.

'I am living the American dream'

'Harris shouldn't expect the victims of her equity policies to vote for her'

'Stoking inflation'