Failed public policies are undermining the institution of marriage in America. Rates of both marriage and child births have been trending down for decades‚ but the current cost-of-living crisis is poised to accelerate these declines. If you can’t afford a place to live‚ chances are you won’t get married and have kids. That’s precisely the calculus for millions of young Americans today who can’t make ends meet despite a record number of them holding second or even third jobs. Sixty percent are living paycheck to paycheck. Americans have accumulated a record-high $1.1 trillion in credit-card debt as many can’t cover even necessities. But Americans aren’t just falling into debt — they’re falling behind on payments too. Defaults and delinquencies are rising at the fastest pace since the Great Recession when there was a mortgage meltdown and a global financial crisis. The financial strain on American families explains why people view current economic conditions so unfavorably in polling. Perhaps nothing illustrates this pessimism better than the housing market. The monthly mortgage payment on a median-price home has doubled in the last three years. Unless your income has also doubled‚ you’re falling behind when it comes to buying a house. The median price of a new home has shot up to a stratospheric $435‚000. Even the median price of an existing home‚ at about $387‚000‚ would have been inconceivable three years ago. The typical family buying a home today will have a monthly cost of homeownership around $3‚000. That’s about half the median household income — before income taxes. It’s no wonder that the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta’s homeownership affordability index is at a record low today. The index even shows that the cost to own a median price home in several major metropolitan areas requires more than 100% of the median household after-tax income. In only a single metropolitan area with at least 500‚000 people is the median price home affordable in America. Catherine McQueen. Getty Images. While homeownership is normally a great tool for building wealth‚ it is also often a precursor to major milestones in life‚ like starting a family. But with the American dream of homeownership having turned into a nightmare‚ nearly an entire generation of young people can’t buy a home and are delaying family formation because of it.  And this isn’t simply theory – empirical research published by Federal Reserve economists has already demonstrated that higher mortgage interest rates has a negative impact on the birth rate. That’s because those higher mortgage interest rates increase the cost of homeownership. What caused this sad state of affairs? It was a deadly combination of impolitic public policies. Since 2020‚ the federal government has been spending trillions of dollars it didn’t have‚ running massive deficits. The Federal Reserve covered these deficits by simply creating money for Congress to spend. That devalued the dollar‚ which fueled inflation as prices soared – including prices for housing. But home prices got an extra boost from the Fed’s artificially low interest rates. What a homebuyer is really concerned about is the monthly payment on a home‚ not so much the home’s price. Lower interest rates allowed people to take on much larger mortgages for the same monthly payment‚ creating frenzied bidding wars for homes. When interest rates finally rose to fight inflation‚ they pushed monthly mortgage payments through the roof‚ completely out of the reach of most Americans. It also trapped millions of Americans in their homes. When a home is sold with a mortgage‚ the homeowner loses the loan and must get a new one‚ at current market rates. If someone bought a home just a few years ago‚ they are likely going from a 2-3% mortgage to a 7-8% one. That would cause their monthly payment to explode. The options are to drastically downsize or not move at all — and millions have chosen the latter. That’s helped cause a severe shortage of homes for sale‚ the lowest level in decades. Consequently‚ home prices are staying high despite today’s higher interest rates. While the failures of public policy are often measured in dollars‚ the unaffordability of housing today demonstrates that there can be even more far-reaching consequences: families never formed‚ and lives never lived. * * *  E.J. Antoni is a public finance economist at the Heritage Foundation and a senior fellow at the Committee to Unleash Prosperity. The views expressed in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.

Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) announced on Friday that the cremation of the “DC 5” — the five aborted babies’ bodies uncovered by pro-life activists in Washington‚ D.C. — would be delayed. Roy cited a press release from ACLJ (American Center for Law &; Justice) — a D.C.-headquartered nonprofit using legal means to push for the investigation of the deaths of the recovered babies. “We contacted D.C. one final time in an attempt to resolve this issue and delay action on the disposition of the remains of these babies before we filed our lawsuit‚” ACLJ posted Friday. “We have just received assurances that the D.C. government is standing down from today’s cremation.” The full update can be viewed below: UPDATE 02.09.2024: The ACLJ was preparing to file an emergency writ of mandamus on behalf of our client to force D.C. officials to follow the law and allow for the proper burial of these babies. We contacted D.C. one final time in an attempt to resolve this issue and delay action on the disposition of the remains of these babies before we filed our lawsuit. We have just received assurances that the D.C. government is standing down from today’s cremation. What this means is that we were successful in preventing the Biden DOJ and D.C. from destroying the evidence of potential crimes and from simultaneously blocking the honoring of these young lives with a proper burial. The D.C. government also indicated to us that they will respond to Congress’ demands. We continue to hope that D.C. will in fact conduct a formal investigation into these babies’ deaths. 🚨🚨🚨UPDATE on the DC 5: This is a welcome development. We are so grateful for the work of @ACLJ‚ @PAAUNOW &; everyone in the pro-life movement to prevent this evidence from being destroyed so that justice can be sought these children. Their lives mattered. The fight continues pic.twitter.com/tf4AVWWWWI — Rep. Chip Roy Press Office (@RepChipRoy) February 9‚ 2024 ACLJ contends that the babies’ bodies must be investigated before they are humanely buried. The nonprofit says the bodies could uncover “evidence of potential infanticide and illegal partial-birth abortions that could have been committed by a known late-term abortionist.” “In March 2022‚ the bodies of five pre-term babies were discovered by the Washington D.C. Metropolitan Police Department‚” the group said. “These children were apparently from the Washington Surgi-Clinic in Washington‚ D.C.‚ a facility operated by the late-term abortionist Cesare Santangelo.” “Instead of ensuring that the horrific deaths of these children were properly investigated‚ the police made the assumption that each child died as a result of a legal abortion‚” the post continued. “They made this assumption without conducting any medical evaluations or autopsies whatsoever. In fact‚ some doctors have examined pictures of these babies and found evidence that would support the conclusion that these children were killed through illegal and egregious partial-birth abortions.” Progressive Anti Abortion Uprising (PAAU) founder Terrisa Bukovinac and pro-life activist Lauren Handy claim they received the babies’ bodies from a worker at the abortion clinic before they were to be incinerated at a medical waste facility‚ Fox News reported last year. “Lauren and I will carry the memories of these children with us forever and we will never stop fighting for their justice‚” Bukovinac said. Following the discovery‚ Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) called for Santangelo’s medical license to be revoked. “We are so grateful to Rep. Luna for her courage and we demand that Congress follow her lead by conducting hearings for these children‚ holding their killer to account‚ and by passing a national ban at viability to ensure these crimes against humanity never happen again‚” Bukovinac added. Last year‚ the Biden Department of Justice successfully convicted five pro-life activists‚ including Handy‚ for demonstrating at the Washington Surgi-Clinic‚ which the DOJ said violated the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act‚ also known as the FACE Act. Handy and the others  — John Hinshaw‚ Heather Idoni‚ William Goodman‚ and Herb Geraghty — face 11 years behind bars and were thrown in jail to await their sentences. The activists also each face fines totaling around $350‚000. Related: ‘This Is Real Fascism’: Anger Erupts After Biden DOJ Targets More Pro-Life Protesters‚ Who Now Face Decade Behind Bars 

A shooter who opened fire in a Texas megachurch over the weekend previously used a male name‚ law enforcement records show. On Sunday afternoon‚ 36-year-old Genesse Ivonne Moreno* walked into Lakewood Church in Houston with a long gun and a young child and opened fire before being shot dead by law enforcement at the scene. Moreno‚ a woman‚ previously identified as Jeffery Escalante‚ according to Texas Department of Public Safety records. The shooter had a criminal history extending back nearly two decades to 2005 that included arrests for failure to stop and give information‚ assault of a public servant‚ assault causing bodily injury‚ forgery‚ possession of marijuana‚ theft‚ evading arrest‚ and unlawful carrying of a weapon. More criminal history‚ per @houston_cf pic.twitter.com/gwNU5QmVZJ — Sara Gonzales (@SaraGonzalesTX) February 12‚ 2024 A man‚ 57‚ was shot in the leg‚ and the five-year-old boy with Moreno was also shot and transported to the hospital in critical condition. Police have not yet announced a motive for the shooting. The shooter reportedly used an AR-15 with “Free Palestine” written on it. CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILYWIRE+ APP Houston Police Chief Troy Finner said Moreno arrived at the church in a white vehicle and entered just before 2 p.m. wearing a trench coat and backpack. Lakewood Church is led by high-profile evangelical pastor Joel Osteen‚ located about six miles from downtown Houston. Osteen said at a press conference that the shooting occurred while his church was “in between services.” The police chief also said Moreno claimed to have a bomb. A bomb squad found no evidence of explosives during a search of the church and Moreno’s car and backpack. Moreno also sprayed a substance on the ground‚ the chief said. The shooting at Lakewood Church comes amid growing concern about recent mass shootings carried out by trans-identifying and “non-binary” shooters. One of the most prominent cases occurred last year when a woman who identified as a man entered a Christian school in Nashville and murdered three children and three adults before she was killed by responding police officers. *Reports on mass shootings typically do not name the shooter under Daily Wire policy‚ but in this case‚ the shooter’s name is a vital part of law enforcement records and thus necessary to the clear reporting of this story. 

Vice President Kamala Harris said in a recent interview published this week that as doubts grow over President Joe Biden’s ability to continue to serve as commander-in-chief amid questions about his mental fitness‚ she is ready to step up and be president. The remarks from Harris come after Special Counsel Robert Hur concluded in his criminal investigation into Biden’s handling of classified material that Biden “willfully retained and disclosed classified materials‚” but no criminal charges were warranted‚ adding that prosecutors “also considered that‚ at trial‚ Mr. Biden would likely present himself to a jury…as a sympathetic‚ well-meaning‚ elderly man with a poor memory.” The report said that Biden could not remember basic details about major events in his life‚ including when he served as vice president in the Obama administration‚ and he could not remember within several years when his son died‚ even though he talks about his son’s death often. Biden then held a press conference to demonstrate his mental fitness for office and ended up yelling at reporters and forgetting numerous key details. The report and the subsequent press conference ignited alarm bells among top Democrats who are privately panicking over Biden’s electability‚ as a recent poll found that 86% of Americans believe he is too old to be president again‚ and 76% have concerns about his mental fitness. In an interview with The Wall Street Journal‚ Harris was asked if voters’ concerns about Biden’s age and mental fitness meant she must convince them that she is ready to take over. “I am ready to serve. There’s no question about that‚” Harris responded. She claimed that everyone who sees her on the job “walks away fully aware of my capacity to lead.” Jennifer Palmieri‚ who worked in the Obama and Clinton administrations and for Hillary Clinton’s failed 2016 campaign‚ told the Journal that Hur’s report has really brought Harris’ ability to serve into the spotlight as she could be needed sooner rather than later. “There was always going to be a lot of scrutiny and pressure on her in the 2024 campaign‚ and that moment’s here now‚” she said. “I think that the special counsel’s report has sort of accelerated that moment.” CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILYWIRE+ APP A recent Harvard CAPS / Harris poll found that if Biden decided not to run again‚ Harris would be the top choice among Democrat voters at 15%. After Harris‚ 8% of voters wanted Hillary Clinton‚ 7% wanted Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT)‚ 7% wanted Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV)‚ 5% wanted California Governor Gavin Newsom‚ and the list thins out from there. An NBC News poll from last year found that Harris was the lowest-rated vice president in the history of the survey‚ with a -17 rating. Other vice presidents that were rated included Dick Cheney (+23)‚ Al Gore (+15)‚ Biden (+1)‚ and Pence (-4).

Actor Ralph Fiennes stated his case against “trigger warnings‚” or statements made prior to sharing potentially offensive content‚ saying that audiences should be fine with feeling strong emotions. The 61-year-old actor told BBC One’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg‚ “I think we didn’t use to have trigger warnings. I mean‚ they are very disturbing scenes in Macbeth‚ terrible murders and things. But I think the impact of theater should be that you’re shocked and you should be disturbed. I don’t think you should be prepared for these things and when I was young‚ (we) never had trigger warnings for shows‚” Fiennes said. The actor said warnings for issues that could “affect people physically‚” such as strobe effects that could trigger seizures‚ should be added to entertainment content. But when it comes to emotional triggers‚ Fiennes thinks society has taken it too far.  “Shakespeare’s plays are full of murderers‚ full of horror. As a young student and lover of the theater‚ I never experienced trigger warnings telling me: ‘By the way in King Lear‚ Gloucester is going to have his eyes pulled out.’ Theater has to be alive and connect in the present‚” he continued.  “It’s the shock‚ the unexpected‚ that’s what makes an actor (in) theater so exciting.” It’s not the first time the “Harry Potter” star has spoken out against woke culture. In 2022‚ the actor responded to the backlash against author J.K. Rowling for her stance on transgender issues. CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILYWIRE+ APP “The verbal abuse directed at her is disgusting‚ it’s appalling. I mean‚ I can understand a viewpoint that might be angry at what she says about women. But it’s not some obscene‚ über-right-wing fascist‚” Fiennes said‚ as The Daily Wire previously reported. “It’s just a woman saying‚ ‘I’m a woman and I feel I’m a woman and I want to be able to say that I’m a woman.’ And I understand where she’s coming from. Even though I’m not a woman‚” he continued. While many “Harry Potter” stars spoke out against Rowling at the height of the drama‚ Fiennes always defended the author’s right to state her opinion on social issues.

Roses‚ chocolate‚ jewelry — these are some of the most common gifts men think that women want for Valentine’s Day. Although it’s true that this is exactly what some of us want‚ you might be surprised at what most of us have on our wish list. If you’re wanting to get some unique ideas‚ have you considered checking out some Valentine’s memes? Sure‚ they’re made to be funny‚ but there’s some truth to a lot of them. So whether you want to figure out what women actually want for Valentines or simply want a laugh‚ I’ve gathered some of the best ones. 1. Chicken nuggets alone are everything. But it’s the variety of sauces that really makes this gift top-tier. Instagram 2. This intricate gift will make the woman in your life speechless! Partially because she’ll be so amazed but also because she’ll be too busy eating. imgur The post These 10 Memes Show What Women Actually Want For Valentine’s Day! appeared first on InspireMore.

The Kansas City Chiefs are Super Bowl winners—again! The team won the Vince Lombardi Trophy for the second consecutive year after defeating the San Francisco 49ers on Feb. 11. As one would expect‚ head coach Andy Reid and defensive tackle Chris Jones are beside themselves‚ and they shared an adorable moment on the field that has gone viral. The second Mecole Hardman caught the winning touchdown during overtime‚ Chris was so overwhelmed with excitement that he fell on his back and started giggling with joy. Andy was right there to feel “the feels” with Chris. A Chiefs videographer caught the moment on film and posted it on X for fans to enjoy. ALL THE FEELS pic.twitter.com/yd1ByK7VPw— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) February 12‚ 2024 As Chris was lying on the field‚ Andy bent down and started shaking him by the shoulders‚ “What do you think?” he screamed happily before falling on top of him. Chris simply kept laughing. He couldn’t even respond. A couple of men on the field helped Andy stand up. When he was back on his feet‚ he reached his hand out to Chris and said‚ “Get up!” Chris took the help. And as Andy pulled him back to reality‚ the two Super Bowl winners came together for a long embrace. Andy Reid and Chris Jones have three Super Bowl rings each—all with the Chiefs. Not only did they earn the hardware this year and last‚ but they were also the victors of the 2020 game. The feat has made them part of an NFL dynasty. Patrick Mahomes Cheer With His Fellow Super Bowl Winners Quarterback Patrick Mahomes‚ who also has three wins on his resume‚ was captured on film as the Chiefs became the Super Bowl LVIII winners‚ too. Like Chris Jones‚ he fell on the field in blissful shock. When he did‚ his team crowded around him and shouted with joy as they pulled him to his feet. Caution: Video included language not suitable for work. Pure joy. pic.twitter.com/h5PkDjoqW4— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) February 12‚ 2024 Andy Reid‚ Chris Jones‚ and the rest of the Chiefs likely celebrated throughout the night. And they’ll continue the party for weeks to come. The winners will toast their success with all of Kansas City during the Super Bowl parade‚ which is scheduled for Valentine’s Day. Don’t forget to share this story with your fellow Chiefs fans! You can find the source of this story’s featured image here. The post Coach Andy Reid And Chris Jones Celebrate “All The Feels” Together After Super Bowl Win. appeared first on InspireMore.

'I had sticky fingers and I got fired after two weeks'

'Stepped up'

'Four options'