In Case You Missed It!

December 2, 2024

“All peoples who live communally must first find some way to get along together harmoniously and with a measure of decency and order.” Ella Deloria, Sioux Indian anthropologist.

Walmart had $611 billion sales revenue in 2023, while employing about 2 million people. Walmart is the world’s largest retailer. This week the company announced the end to their DEI program. No more supplier contracts based on race/gender, no more mandatory staff training on racial equity, and no more LGBTQ rankings. The Company is also eliminating sexual and transgender products marketed to children. Recent lawsuits show DEI programs discriminate against White men.

The United States have roughly 4 million teachers (k-12), and turnover continues to be a problem. In NC there are 90K public school teachers and the turnover rate is 10-11% which is significant. Surveys indicate teachers are leaving the profession for many reasons like pay, childcare support, and lack of mentoring, but if you ask a group of teachers they will say “disruptive students” is their biggest challenge. Local laws have been so relaxed that even “putting hands on teachers” is allowed. Can you imagine???

NC lawmakers passed HR Bill 10 (over the veto of Dem. Gov. Cooper) that requires county sheriffs to cooperate with ICE by detaining arrested individuals suspected of being in the US illegally. The new law pertains only to those arrested for serious crimes. If a murder suspect or alleged rapist is arrested and can’t prove their citizenship, the sheriff will be required to contact ICE. I can’t imagine anyone not supporting this new requirement.

Britain’s prisons are so crowded, officials are letting prisoners out. In September, 37 men were let out by mistake, one committed rape on the same day of his release. Repeat offenders equal 90% of the current inmate population. The costs of incarnation, (building new prisons) is the problem. There is also a problem with prison staff turnover. Across Britain, prison staffs experienced 10,000 assaults in 2023. Most new hires leave within 2 years.

Vietnam has a population of 100 million people, roughly about 28% of the US. In 2023 Vietnam had a trade surplus with the US of $110 billion. Which means Vietnam sold $110 billion more goods and services to the US than that country bought from the US. Of course, the average monthly pay in Vietnam is $700. The government also supports businesses, especially developing new industries. This is a good example for a form of US tariffs. Our mfg. companies cannot compete with Vietnam without government help.

Finally, last year Chinese (government supported) companies bought/ invested $16 billion in mines around the world. The Chinese mining companies now control a large and growing share of the world’s minerals including copper, nickel, cobalt and lithium. The Chinese control 50+% of the world’s nickel, 40% of the cobalt and a large share of the world’s supply of rare-earth elements. Controlling the mineral base enables China to dominate the battery, electrification, and solar power industries. Another mess for Trump to address!