Those IISS military spending numbers are widely off the mark, better use the SIPRI numbers, which are more realistic.

For instance, Ukraine is at 28 billion dollars on IISS but a much more realistic 64 billions in SIPRI.

Either way, B$45 would still be more than Italy or Poland (both 38 billions) and on the same level as Israel (46 billions) - and Israel isn't exactly known for a weak, underfunded Army.

Trump on his call with Putin: "We also talked about the war with Ukraine, and I'm not happy about that ... I didn't make any progress with him today at all."

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— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com) 3 July 2025 at 22:14

He is such a fucking weak and pathetic leader, Putin has been running circles around him for months, embarrassing him, and he just sits there happily letting Putin shit in his mouth. Embarrassingly this is one of the few times that Trump has actually been truthful, except the fact that it hasn't only been today he hasn't made progress with Putin, he hasn't made any progress with Putin for over 5 fucking months.

Weak leader, except when it comes to screwing over tens of million of Americans. 

What a fucking cuck he is. 

Fascism in action

DHS ARRESTS Jewish Anti-Zionists Protesting US-Israel Armament

Katie interviews Ash Bohrer, a hunger striker from Jewish Voice for Peace Chicago. Ash was arrested by DHS earlier today along with eight other JVP members after refusing to leave Senator Tammy Duckworth’s Chicago office and calling for an end to U.S. weapons to Israel. Katie and Ash discuss the origins of JVP's hunger strike, American contractors for the Gaza "Humanitarian" Foundation shooting into crowds seeking aid, and the Gaza-Ireland connection.

U.S. contractors tell the AP their colleagues are shooting at Palestinians seeking food in Gaza

https://www.nbcnews.com/world/gaza/us-contractors-tell-ap-colleagues-are-shooting-palestinians-seeking-fo-rcna216675

American contractors guarding aid distribution sites in Gaza are using live ammunition and stun grenades as hungry Palestinians scramble for food, according to accounts and videos obtained by The Associated Press.

Two U.S. contractors, speaking to the AP on condition of anonymity because they were revealing their employers’ internal operations, said they were coming forward because they were disturbed by what they considered dangerous and irresponsible practices. They said the security staff hired were often unqualified, unvetted, heavily armed and seemed to have an open license to do whatever they wished.

They said their colleagues regularly lobbed stun grenades and pepper spray in the direction of the Palestinians. One contractor said bullets were fired in all directions — in the air, into the ground and at times toward the Palestinians, recalling at least one instance where he thought someone had been hit.

...

Last month, the U.S. government pledged $30 million for the group to continue operations — the first known U.S. donation to the group, whose other funding sources remain opaque.

Remember this as Trump prepares to cut billions from Medicaid and SNAP:

He's used over $12 billion of our taxes for weapons to Israel since taking office.

He announced $510 million more for weapons to Israel just this week.

Tell your Rep. to fight back: https://t.co/5QZQh11PtP

— IMEU Policy Project (@imeupolicy) July 3, 2025

I wonder how states are going to respond to the Medicaid cuts. 

Many purple (and blue) states might start increasing state-funding or maybe introduce buy-in programs is my guess. Purple states tend to be the most competitive when it comes to economic policies (highest unemployment insurances, highest per capita funding for medicaid and energy assistance programs, etc.) 

For example, here in Pennsylvania there is a bipartisan bill (including many Republicans as sponsors) to create a paid family leave program of 20 weeks. 

https://www.billtrack50.com/billdetail/1900578

A Medicaid buy-in with income-based premiums would go a long way to balancing out the losses of federal funding, in my opinion and could expand health-care to those who are between the lowest earners and the median earners who are often the most vulnerable when it comes to health-insurance. I might send a letter to my state reps to see if they'd consider it. 

Also with the tax cuts at the federal level, states might be able to increase their taxes a bit. As a person in the top 5% I am probably going to get a 2-3% income boost from this, and wouldn't might paying that towards higher state taxes (Pennsylvania has a flat 3.07% income tax.) 

Congratulations USA. What a beautiful time to make American great again. What a big beautiful bill you guys voted in.

The only silver lining is that the AI stuff was removed and Republicans might have just imploded their coallition (as in the few % that are persuadable to cross party lines).

Because as we all know, the first step towards making America great again is killing tens of thousands of Americans