Crime rates in the United States have been a topic of debate, with some claiming a decline while others disagree. The National Crime Victimization Survey has recently released findings showing no significant evidence that violent or property crime is decreasing. In fact, there has been a spike in crime, particularly in urban areas where leftist prosecutors have gained influence. This spike has seen a 40% increase in violent crime and a 26% increase in property crime from 2019 to 2023. These statistics, which are considered more reliable than FBI figures, indicate that the urban crime spike is not slowing down.
Moving on to the private sector, the Anti-Defamation League has taken a stand against antisemitism by joining a lawsuit against Intel. The complaint alleges that two Intel executives made anti-Semitic and pro-Hamas social media posts following attacks in October. One of these executives went on to supervise an Israeli employee who was later fired after complaining. While Intel claims to have a culture of diversity and inclusion, this case highlights the prevalence of discrimination in the private sector.
On the housing front, regulatory barriers are being blamed for the housing crunch in the US. Lower mortgage rates resulting from a recent rate cut by the Federal Reserve have raised hopes of easing this crunch. However, reducing regulatory barriers that make home construction expensive and time-consuming is essential to meeting the demand for housing. Building regulations, originally intended for public health, have now expanded to cover various aspects, adding compliance costs to the construction process.
Economic policies have also been a point of comparison between President Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris. Trump’s pro-growth policies, including low tax rates and expanding domestic energy production, have garnered him a 10-point advantage over Harris among voters on economic issues. In contrast, the Biden-Harris spending bills have led to inflation and decreased standards of living for many Americans. Harris’s economic plans are being questioned for their potential to stifle economic growth.
Pollsters have noted a supposed surge in support for Kamala Harris following her nomination, but this surge seems to have plateaued in recent months. Despite positive campaign trail experiences, Harris has not seen a significant shift in the race. Questions remain about whether she can drive high turnout and attract new swing voters to secure a win in the upcoming election. Declarations of a strong position for Harris against Trump may be premature, as she is mainly benefiting from existing Democratic voter support.
