Responses

There is no universal "should"—it depends on values (fairness/equity vs. growth/incentives), goals (revenue, reducing inequality, funding public goods), and design details. The question is primarily about the United States (where most data and debate center), though principles apply more broadly. The U.S. already has a progressive federal income tax system, but effective rates (especially for the

Short answer: No, overall prices are still higher than a year ago — but not uniformly Overall, prices in stores are not lower than a year ago on average, though a handful of specific items have gotten cheaper. The big picture: The average price of food in the United States rose by 2.7% in the 12 months ending August, after posting an annual increase of 3% for July, according to the latest infla

Yes — evidence from 2025-2026 strongly suggests reduced immigration causes labor shortages in specific sectors, though the full economic picture is more nuanced. Real-world evidence from the current U.S. immigration crackdown Since the Trump administration ramped up enforcement and restricted legal immigration pathways, multiple sectors have reported acute labor shortages: Construction: The N

I will research current tax rates, effective rates for high earners, inequality data, and economic analyses from multiple perspectives to provide a balanced overview.I am gathering more specific details on key studies and overall federal effective rates.[[1]](https://nchstats.com/who-pays-most-taxes-in-america/)[[2]](https://taxfoundation.org/data/all/federal/us-income-growth-progressive-tax-code-

Based on the latest data, the picture is mixed — overall, prices are still higher than a year ago, though not by as much as during the peak inflation years, and a few specific items have actually gotten cheaper. Overall trend: still rising, but more slowly - The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 3.4 percent over the last 12 months as of the most recent report. - For g

I'll search for today's top news stories.Based on current search results, here are today's biggest news stories (September 21, 2026): 1. Iran War Escalation — Trump Weighs "Annihilation" Decision The Iran conflict remains the dominant global story. President Trump said he is poised to make a "big decision" on whether to launch a major assault to "annihilate" the Iranian regime, telling Axios ahea

Here are ten of the most significant news stories dominating global headlines today, September 21, 2026: 1. United Russia Dominates Russia's First Wartime Parliamentary Election Following the conclusion of the three-day State Duma elections on September 20, early results show the ruling United Russia party overwhelmingly dominating the polls. This represents the first federal election held in Ru

Here’s a quick snapshot of U.S. politics as of Monday, September 21, 2026. Who’s governing - President: Donald J. Trump (47th U.S. president) with Vice President JD Vance. ([usa.gov](https://www.usa.gov/presidents?utmsource=openai)) - Congress: Republicans control both chambers in the 119th Congress (2025–2027); Mike Johnson is Speaker of the House and John Thune leads Senate Republicans. ([polit

[[1]](https://arstechnica.com/ai/2025/01/ai-could-create-78-million-more-jobs-than-it-eliminates-by-2030-report/)[[2]](https://www.goldmansachs.com/insights/articles/the-jobs-ai-is-likely-to-boost-and-those-it-may-disrupt)[[3]](https://www.rand.org/pubs/commentary/2025/10/ai-is-making-jobs-not-taking-them.html)[[4]](https://www.pwc.com/gx/en/news-room/press-releases/2025/ai-linked-to-a-fourfold-in

Based on the latest data, overall prices in stores are not lower than a year ago — they're still higher, though the pace of increase has slowed compared to the inflation spikes of 2022. Overall Picture Grocery prices (food-at-home) are up, not down: - The food index increased 2.7 percent over the last year as of the latest BLS data through August 2026. - The average price of food in the United

Evaluating whether Joe Biden was a "good" president depends largely on the criteria used to measure his legacy. While historians and political scholars generally view his presidency (2021–2025) as highly consequential, the general public and political opponents often hold a much more critical view, particularly regarding his handling of the economy and immigration. At the end of his term in Janu

As of September 2026, the state of U.S. politics is highly polarized and defined by two massive, overlapping realities: the final countdown to the 2026 midterm elections (scheduled for November 3) and the sweeping, controversial policies of President Donald Trump’s second administration. With Republicans currently holding a narrow federal "trifecta" (control of the presidency, a 53–45 majority in

Here are the ten biggest news stories dominating global headlines today, Sunday, September 20, 2026: 1. U.S. Strikes "Infinite" Greenland Security Deal with Denmark U.S. President Donald Trump announced a sweeping, permanent ("infinite life") security agreement with Denmark and Greenland. Under the binding deal, the United States secures permanent military, basing, and overflight rights on the s

Today’s global news landscape is dominated by high-stakes international security deals, escalating military conflicts in the Middle East, a sharp domestic battle over press freedom in the United States, and retaliatory economic moves by Russia. --- 1. Middle East Escalation: Houthis Target Riyadh and Yanbu A major escalation has shaken the Middle East as Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels launc

Yes — evidence strongly suggests reducing immigration causes labor shortages, especially in specific sectors Both economic theory and current real-world data point to labor shortages as a likely consequence of sharply reducing immigration, though the severity varies by industry and skill level. The Basic Mechanism Immigration has accounted for almost half of U.S. labor force growth since 1995

Based on my research, here are 10 of the biggest news stories making headlines today (September 19, 2026): 1. Ongoing U.S.-Iran War Casualties Underreported A new Washington Post report reveals that more American service members have died in the Middle East during the ongoing Iran war than the Pentagon has disclosed publicly, according to six U.S. officials, with officials expressing frustration

Today, September 19, 2026, has seen several massive shifts in global geopolitics, major policy changes in the United States, and significant corporate and humanitarian developments. Here are the most important events and topics dominating the news today: --- 1. Geopolitics & Global Security U.S. Strikes Strategic Arctic Security Pact Over Greenland: President Donald Trump announced that the

Here are ten of the most significant news stories from around the world today, September 19, 2026: 1. U.S. Announces Arctic Pact for "Permanent Control" Over Greenland Security U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the United States has reached a historic, "infinite life" agreement with Denmark and Greenland. The deal grants the U.S. permanent control over security, overflight, and basing r

As of Saturday, September 19, 2026, global financial markets are closed for the weekend, but a series of major corporate transitions, central bank decisions, and regulatory approvals have dominated the business landscape. The top business and market headlines driving the news: --- 1. Warren Buffett Steps Down as Chairman of Berkshire Hathaway In a historic milestone for corporate America, leg

Here’s a concise snapshot as of Saturday, September 19, 2026 (U.S. time): Who’s in charge - President: Donald J. Trump (since Jan 20, 2025); Vice President: JD Vance. ([usa.gov](https://www.usa.gov/presidents?utmsource=openai)) - Congress: Republicans currently lead both chambers — Speaker Mike Johnson in the House and Senate Majority Leader John Thune. ([house.gov](https://www.house.gov/leadersh

I will evaluate this based on verifiable actions, data, and outcomes from Trump's second term (starting January 2025), rather than opinions or campaign rhetoric. "Improving the US government" is subjective—it can mean efficiency, cost reduction, reduced bureaucracy, better services, fiscal responsibility, or other metrics. I'll focus on evidence in key areas.Gathering more balanced data on outcome

Overall, prices are generally still higher than a year ago—not lower Based on the latest data, most prices in stores remain higher than they were a year ago, though the picture is mixed depending on the specific product category: Overall Inflation Trend The annual inflation rate in the United States was 3.4% for the 12 months ending August, the same as in July, according to U.S. Labor Departme

Evaluating whether the United States is prepared for another pandemic or widespread health crisis reveals a complex picture. While the U.S. possesses unprecedented medical technologies and scientific tools developed since COVID-19, its public health infrastructure, global surveillance networks, and institutional trust have experienced significant shifts and disruptions. The consensus among publi

Whether President Donald Trump is "improving" the U.S. government is a subject of intense public and political debate. Since taking office for his second term as the 47th President in January 2025, his administration has pursued a sweeping agenda aimed at dismantling, restructuring, and downsizing the federal bureaucracy. Whether these changes represent an "improvement" or a "detriment" depends

Here’s a 60‑second snapshot of U.S. politics as of September 18, 2026: Who runs Washington - President Donald J. Trump (since January 20, 2025) with Vice President JD Vance. Republicans control both chambers: a 53–47 Senate and a narrow House majority. ([usa.gov](https://www.usa.gov/presidents?utmsource=openai)) Elections and the 2026 midterms - The Nov. 3, 2026 midterms will decide control of C

Based on current news coverage, here are 10 of today's biggest stories (September 17, 2026): 1. Iran War Fallout Continues to Roil Markets US stocks whipsawed lower after the Federal Reserve raised its key interest rate for the first time in over three years to fight stubbornly high inflation stemming from soaring crude oil prices during the US-Israeli war on Iran. Meanwhile, the Iran war has cos

US politics is defined by the governing realities of President Donald Trump’s second administration, a highly polarized legislative environment, and intense campaigning as the country prepares for the critical November 2026 midterm elections. With the Republican Party holding a slim federal "trifecta" (the presidency and narrow majorities in both chambers of Congress), the political landscape is

I wasn't able to find one single authoritative "top 10" ranked list for today, but pulling together the most significant stories being reported across major outlets right now, here's a roundup of today's biggest news: 1. Zelenskyy alleges Russian assassination plots President Volodymyr Zelenskyy sat down for an exclusive interview with CBS News about what he said were recent Russian plots to assa

Based on the latest reports, here's a roundup of the most significant stories making news today: Politics & U.S. Government - Supreme Court ruling on voting rules: The Supreme Court has struck down tighter mail-in voting regulations championed by President Trump ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. International/Ukraine-Russia - Zelensky speaks out on assassination threats: President Volodymyr

Whether Joe Biden was a "good" president is fundamentally a matter of political perspective and values, so I can't give you a definitive yes/no answer. Instead, let me lay out some of the key achievements and criticisms that shape people's views, and you can weigh them according to your own priorities. It Depends on Your Perspective Whether Biden was a "good" president isn't something I can answe