The Business Skeptic
@business-skeptic.bsky.social
Cutting through the noise of business trends to question the facts, lambast the fiction, while keeping it all informative.
Not anti-business, just against the bad practices and beliefs that don't allow others to thrive from their own creative efforts.
Not anti-business, just against the bad practices and beliefs that don't allow others to thrive from their own creative efforts.
Remember that the U.S. Army Field Manual FM 34-52 on "Intelligence Interrogation" advises that when accused, interrogators should expose contradictions in the accuser's story to create doubt and shift blame. This tactic is evident in how opposition to business is increasingly labeled as terrorism.
March 31, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Remember that the U.S. Army Field Manual FM 34-52 on "Intelligence Interrogation" advises that when accused, interrogators should expose contradictions in the accuser's story to create doubt and shift blame. This tactic is evident in how opposition to business is increasingly labeled as terrorism.
Did Trump predict the future? "It just seems that the economy does better under the Democrats than the Republicans. Now, it shouldn't be that way. But if you go back, I mean it just seems that the economy does better under the Democrats." - Trump interviewed 2004 by Wolf Blitzer
shorturl.at/CJ1J9
shorturl.at/CJ1J9
Donald Trump in 2004: Democrats Are Better for U.S. Economy
Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.
shorturl.at
March 14, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Did Trump predict the future? "It just seems that the economy does better under the Democrats than the Republicans. Now, it shouldn't be that way. But if you go back, I mean it just seems that the economy does better under the Democrats." - Trump interviewed 2004 by Wolf Blitzer
shorturl.at/CJ1J9
shorturl.at/CJ1J9
Trump using the presidency to favor one car business, Tesla, while threatening tarrifs that will affect others. Seems like a predictable action from the 1930s playbook on how to be a ... [fill in the blank]
March 11, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Trump using the presidency to favor one car business, Tesla, while threatening tarrifs that will affect others. Seems like a predictable action from the 1930s playbook on how to be a ... [fill in the blank]
Reposted by The Business Skeptic
Power Deregulation: Cheaper or a Price Trap?
🔹 Deregulated states (1997–2021) → Rates up 57.4%
🔹 Regulated states (1997–2021) → Rates up 69.4%
⚠️BUT → No rate caps allow big price spikes
Texas (2021): Bills $5K+ in 5 days
Maryland (2024): Bills doubled in winter
✔️ Energy price caps are necessary!
🔹 Deregulated states (1997–2021) → Rates up 57.4%
🔹 Regulated states (1997–2021) → Rates up 69.4%
⚠️BUT → No rate caps allow big price spikes
Texas (2021): Bills $5K+ in 5 days
Maryland (2024): Bills doubled in winter
✔️ Energy price caps are necessary!
March 4, 2025 at 7:18 AM
Power Deregulation: Cheaper or a Price Trap?
🔹 Deregulated states (1997–2021) → Rates up 57.4%
🔹 Regulated states (1997–2021) → Rates up 69.4%
⚠️BUT → No rate caps allow big price spikes
Texas (2021): Bills $5K+ in 5 days
Maryland (2024): Bills doubled in winter
✔️ Energy price caps are necessary!
🔹 Deregulated states (1997–2021) → Rates up 57.4%
🔹 Regulated states (1997–2021) → Rates up 69.4%
⚠️BUT → No rate caps allow big price spikes
Texas (2021): Bills $5K+ in 5 days
Maryland (2024): Bills doubled in winter
✔️ Energy price caps are necessary!
Power Deregulation: Cheaper or a Price Trap?
🔹 Deregulated states (1997–2021) → Rates up 57.4%
🔹 Regulated states (1997–2021) → Rates up 69.4%
⚠️BUT → No rate caps allow big price spikes
Texas (2021): Bills $5K+ in 5 days
Maryland (2024): Bills doubled in winter
✔️ Energy price caps are necessary!
🔹 Deregulated states (1997–2021) → Rates up 57.4%
🔹 Regulated states (1997–2021) → Rates up 69.4%
⚠️BUT → No rate caps allow big price spikes
Texas (2021): Bills $5K+ in 5 days
Maryland (2024): Bills doubled in winter
✔️ Energy price caps are necessary!
March 4, 2025 at 7:18 AM
Power Deregulation: Cheaper or a Price Trap?
🔹 Deregulated states (1997–2021) → Rates up 57.4%
🔹 Regulated states (1997–2021) → Rates up 69.4%
⚠️BUT → No rate caps allow big price spikes
Texas (2021): Bills $5K+ in 5 days
Maryland (2024): Bills doubled in winter
✔️ Energy price caps are necessary!
🔹 Deregulated states (1997–2021) → Rates up 57.4%
🔹 Regulated states (1997–2021) → Rates up 69.4%
⚠️BUT → No rate caps allow big price spikes
Texas (2021): Bills $5K+ in 5 days
Maryland (2024): Bills doubled in winter
✔️ Energy price caps are necessary!
Reposted by The Business Skeptic
Elon Musk has been under multiple government investigations.
Since becoming head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), several agencies conducting investigations have been affected.
"Once is happenstance. Twice is coincidence. Three times is enemy action."
— Ian Fleming, Goldfinger
Since becoming head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), several agencies conducting investigations have been affected.
"Once is happenstance. Twice is coincidence. Three times is enemy action."
— Ian Fleming, Goldfinger
February 18, 2025 at 7:06 AM
Elon Musk has been under multiple government investigations.
Since becoming head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), several agencies conducting investigations have been affected.
"Once is happenstance. Twice is coincidence. Three times is enemy action."
— Ian Fleming, Goldfinger
Since becoming head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), several agencies conducting investigations have been affected.
"Once is happenstance. Twice is coincidence. Three times is enemy action."
— Ian Fleming, Goldfinger
Elon Musk has been under multiple government investigations.
Since becoming head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), several agencies conducting investigations have been affected.
"Once is happenstance. Twice is coincidence. Three times is enemy action."
— Ian Fleming, Goldfinger
Since becoming head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), several agencies conducting investigations have been affected.
"Once is happenstance. Twice is coincidence. Three times is enemy action."
— Ian Fleming, Goldfinger
February 18, 2025 at 7:06 AM
Elon Musk has been under multiple government investigations.
Since becoming head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), several agencies conducting investigations have been affected.
"Once is happenstance. Twice is coincidence. Three times is enemy action."
— Ian Fleming, Goldfinger
Since becoming head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), several agencies conducting investigations have been affected.
"Once is happenstance. Twice is coincidence. Three times is enemy action."
— Ian Fleming, Goldfinger
Reposted by The Business Skeptic
As I said on my pod with @chrislhayes.bsky.social, one of the main reasons the industry is so vigorously pursuing self-driving is that it frees up the driver's attention, which means you can serve the driver ads. Self-driving cars are going to be ad-mobiles.
February 13, 2025 at 6:51 PM
As I said on my pod with @chrislhayes.bsky.social, one of the main reasons the industry is so vigorously pursuing self-driving is that it frees up the driver's attention, which means you can serve the driver ads. Self-driving cars are going to be ad-mobiles.
Reposted by The Business Skeptic
Yesterday it was revealed that the Trump administration is expected to purchase $400 million worth of armored Tesla vehicles.
After the story broke, the State Department's procurement document removed mention of Tesla.
"Transparency."
After the story broke, the State Department's procurement document removed mention of Tesla.
"Transparency."
February 13, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Yesterday it was revealed that the Trump administration is expected to purchase $400 million worth of armored Tesla vehicles.
After the story broke, the State Department's procurement document removed mention of Tesla.
"Transparency."
After the story broke, the State Department's procurement document removed mention of Tesla.
"Transparency."
Reposted by The Business Skeptic
You cannot make this up.
DOGE's crusade isn't about government efficiency. It's about making Elon Musk richer at your expense.
DOGE's crusade isn't about government efficiency. It's about making Elon Musk richer at your expense.
🚨BREAKING: While targeting federal education contracts, Elon Musk just scored a new deal for more government cash, according to documents reviewed by The Lever.
The new "supplemental agreement" adds millions to SpaceX's already huge $3.9 billion deal.
The new "supplemental agreement" adds millions to SpaceX's already huge $3.9 billion deal.
Musk Just Scored More Government Cash While Pushing Education Cuts
As the billionaire was reportedly slashing Education Department contracts, SpaceX secured a multimillion-dollar “supplemental” deal from NASA.
buff.ly
February 12, 2025 at 6:00 PM
You cannot make this up.
DOGE's crusade isn't about government efficiency. It's about making Elon Musk richer at your expense.
DOGE's crusade isn't about government efficiency. It's about making Elon Musk richer at your expense.
Coffee News!☕
Tim Horton's, owned by Restaurant Brands International, is looking to find Canadian suppliers as 'Buy Canada' sentiment sets in. They ditched their coffee roaster of 50 years, Mother Parker's Tea & Coffee🇨🇦 in 2014 for Keurig Dr Pepper🇺🇸.
Parker's now sells to McDonalds. Now you know
Tim Horton's, owned by Restaurant Brands International, is looking to find Canadian suppliers as 'Buy Canada' sentiment sets in. They ditched their coffee roaster of 50 years, Mother Parker's Tea & Coffee🇨🇦 in 2014 for Keurig Dr Pepper🇺🇸.
Parker's now sells to McDonalds. Now you know
February 13, 2025 at 6:21 PM
Coffee News!☕
Tim Horton's, owned by Restaurant Brands International, is looking to find Canadian suppliers as 'Buy Canada' sentiment sets in. They ditched their coffee roaster of 50 years, Mother Parker's Tea & Coffee🇨🇦 in 2014 for Keurig Dr Pepper🇺🇸.
Parker's now sells to McDonalds. Now you know
Tim Horton's, owned by Restaurant Brands International, is looking to find Canadian suppliers as 'Buy Canada' sentiment sets in. They ditched their coffee roaster of 50 years, Mother Parker's Tea & Coffee🇨🇦 in 2014 for Keurig Dr Pepper🇺🇸.
Parker's now sells to McDonalds. Now you know
It appears that they have changed the order information to say 'electric armored vehicles' instead of Teslas. We should all salute that level of ingenuity. Why not some unrelated code word like watermElons or tickle me Elmos that would keep the meddling kids off their trail.
Armored Teslas are the largest procurement expense by the US State Department at $400M in 2025. What other contracts are being left unreported or scattered across government departments? Appears self-regulated conflicts of interest work after all! 🤨
tinyurl.com/5ceudajr
tinyurl.com/5ceudajr
Procurement Forecast - United States Department of State
Public Law 100-656, the Business Opportunity Development Reform Act of 1988, amended the Small Business Act to place new emphasis on acquisition planning. The law requires agencies to compile and make...
tinyurl.com
February 13, 2025 at 4:57 PM
It appears that they have changed the order information to say 'electric armored vehicles' instead of Teslas. We should all salute that level of ingenuity. Why not some unrelated code word like watermElons or tickle me Elmos that would keep the meddling kids off their trail.
Armored Teslas are the largest procurement expense by the US State Department at $400M in 2025. What other contracts are being left unreported or scattered across government departments? Appears self-regulated conflicts of interest work after all! 🤨
tinyurl.com/5ceudajr
tinyurl.com/5ceudajr
Procurement Forecast - United States Department of State
Public Law 100-656, the Business Opportunity Development Reform Act of 1988, amended the Small Business Act to place new emphasis on acquisition planning. The law requires agencies to compile and make...
tinyurl.com
February 12, 2025 at 10:31 PM
Armored Teslas are the largest procurement expense by the US State Department at $400M in 2025. What other contracts are being left unreported or scattered across government departments? Appears self-regulated conflicts of interest work after all! 🤨
tinyurl.com/5ceudajr
tinyurl.com/5ceudajr
Didn't think I would be reposting this so soon. Dark days await those who ignore the sterilization movement that runs through some political ideologies. 👇
tinyurl.com/2exxhfph
tinyurl.com/2exxhfph
February 12, 2025 at 4:18 AM
Didn't think I would be reposting this so soon. Dark days await those who ignore the sterilization movement that runs through some political ideologies. 👇
tinyurl.com/2exxhfph
tinyurl.com/2exxhfph
When the executive ignores the judiciary, and congress willfully ignores the president's violation of the constitution then look no further than the constitutional framers to tell us what is happening 👇
James Madison once said: 📣"The accumulation of all powers, legislative, executive, and judiciary, in the same hands, whether of one, a few, or many, and whether hereditary, self-appointed, or elective, may justly be pronounced the very definition of tyranny."
1788 was an informative year 🇺🇸🤔
1788 was an informative year 🇺🇸🤔
February 12, 2025 at 12:07 AM
When the executive ignores the judiciary, and congress willfully ignores the president's violation of the constitution then look no further than the constitutional framers to tell us what is happening 👇
Trump threatening 100% tariff on Canadian made cars negatively affects the US. The 1965 Auto Pact created a deeply integrated Canada-US auto industry, boosting manufacturing, jobs, and exports. Both would lose out on cost-efficient production, economic, and job growth. Madness is name of the game.
February 11, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Trump threatening 100% tariff on Canadian made cars negatively affects the US. The 1965 Auto Pact created a deeply integrated Canada-US auto industry, boosting manufacturing, jobs, and exports. Both would lose out on cost-efficient production, economic, and job growth. Madness is name of the game.
Action meet reaction. Federal and provincial governments working to help Rio Tinto find other markets since US 25% tariffs announced. The aluminum smelter and hydropower facility in Kitimat was one of the largest contributors to the province of B.C. manufacturing GDP in 2023.
tinyurl.com/58m2bwkz
tinyurl.com/58m2bwkz
B.C. sourcing new aluminum markets as Trump signs off on tariffs | Globalnews.ca
The minister coordinating B.C.'s tariff response says producer Rio Tinto has a "good level of confidence" fresh markets will be found in a "fairly quick way" for its aluminum.
tinyurl.com
February 11, 2025 at 5:53 AM
Action meet reaction. Federal and provincial governments working to help Rio Tinto find other markets since US 25% tariffs announced. The aluminum smelter and hydropower facility in Kitimat was one of the largest contributors to the province of B.C. manufacturing GDP in 2023.
tinyurl.com/58m2bwkz
tinyurl.com/58m2bwkz
Reposted by The Business Skeptic
Is there anyone out there that is mapping any delayed or cancelled federal payments ? Would be really interesting to see which towns and cities are going to be hit
February 10, 2025 at 11:52 PM
Is there anyone out there that is mapping any delayed or cancelled federal payments ? Would be really interesting to see which towns and cities are going to be hit
James Madison once said: 📣"The accumulation of all powers, legislative, executive, and judiciary, in the same hands, whether of one, a few, or many, and whether hereditary, self-appointed, or elective, may justly be pronounced the very definition of tyranny."
1788 was an informative year 🇺🇸🤔
1788 was an informative year 🇺🇸🤔
February 10, 2025 at 9:44 PM
James Madison once said: 📣"The accumulation of all powers, legislative, executive, and judiciary, in the same hands, whether of one, a few, or many, and whether hereditary, self-appointed, or elective, may justly be pronounced the very definition of tyranny."
1788 was an informative year 🇺🇸🤔
1788 was an informative year 🇺🇸🤔
Reposted by The Business Skeptic
Why does the world's richest man want to gut the CFPB?
Because it would shield him from having to follow financial laws to keep customers' money safe — and give him access to confidential records about his competitors.
Follow the money.
Because it would shield him from having to follow financial laws to keep customers' money safe — and give him access to confidential records about his competitors.
Follow the money.
February 10, 2025 at 5:26 PM
Why does the world's richest man want to gut the CFPB?
Because it would shield him from having to follow financial laws to keep customers' money safe — and give him access to confidential records about his competitors.
Follow the money.
Because it would shield him from having to follow financial laws to keep customers' money safe — and give him access to confidential records about his competitors.
Follow the money.
Reposted by The Business Skeptic
Buckle Up Canada "Poloz said the Canadian consumer has suffered a 30 per cent increase in the cost of living following the recent inflationary period, which has reduced spending ... inflation has fallen faster than was predicted, which Poloz argues only happens during a recession." shorturl.at/ogf81
'We're in a recession,' says former Bank of Canada governor Stephen Poloz
Canadian consumer has suffered a 30% increase in the cost of living
shorturl.at
December 5, 2024 at 12:25 AM
Buckle Up Canada "Poloz said the Canadian consumer has suffered a 30 per cent increase in the cost of living following the recent inflationary period, which has reduced spending ... inflation has fallen faster than was predicted, which Poloz argues only happens during a recession." shorturl.at/ogf81
Canadian Travel Boycott Of U.S. Could Cost $2.1 Billion, U.S. Travel Association Warns. "$20.5 billion. That’s how much 20.4 million Canadian visitors—the most from any single country—spent in the U.S. last year, according to the National Travel and Tourism Office." 💸💸📉
tinyurl.com/563j3tsk
tinyurl.com/563j3tsk
Canadian Travel Boycott Of U.S. Could Cost $2.1 Billion, U.S. Travel Association Warns
Canadians have been told to cancel trips to the U.S. after President Donald Trump announced 25% tariffs on most of Canada's goods.
tinyurl.com
February 10, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Canadian Travel Boycott Of U.S. Could Cost $2.1 Billion, U.S. Travel Association Warns. "$20.5 billion. That’s how much 20.4 million Canadian visitors—the most from any single country—spent in the U.S. last year, according to the National Travel and Tourism Office." 💸💸📉
tinyurl.com/563j3tsk
tinyurl.com/563j3tsk
In Buck v. Bell (1927), Supreme Court upheld forced sterilization laws, legitimizing eugenics in the U.S. Over 60,000 were sterilized and the justice cited economic burden to justify the decision. Belief in economic savings legitimized the atrocity, state power made it legal. tinyurl.com/3dsfrfrs
Buck v. Bell (1927) - Encyclopedia Virginia
Facts of the Case The appellant in Buck v. Bell was Carrie Elizabeth Buck. Born on July 2, 1906, in Charlottesville, she was raised by foster parents John and Alice Dobbs from the age of three. In 19...
tinyurl.com
February 10, 2025 at 5:52 AM
In Buck v. Bell (1927), Supreme Court upheld forced sterilization laws, legitimizing eugenics in the U.S. Over 60,000 were sterilized and the justice cited economic burden to justify the decision. Belief in economic savings legitimized the atrocity, state power made it legal. tinyurl.com/3dsfrfrs
Trump has announced a 25% tariff on aluminum and steel starting Monday. Reversing previous exemptions under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and is expected to significantly impact trade flows. In 2023, approximately 74% of the U.S.'s imports originated from Canada. Way to self-own. 😑📉
February 10, 2025 at 4:16 AM
Trump has announced a 25% tariff on aluminum and steel starting Monday. Reversing previous exemptions under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and is expected to significantly impact trade flows. In 2023, approximately 74% of the U.S.'s imports originated from Canada. Way to self-own. 😑📉
Reposted by The Business Skeptic
Trump’s zero-sum approach to tariffs have backfired before. Int’l trade needs integrative bargaining, not winners vs. losers. China countered by shifting soybean buys to Russia, hurting US farmers & boosting a rival. Global deals aren’t real estate—short-term “wins” cause long-term losses.
February 2, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Trump’s zero-sum approach to tariffs have backfired before. Int’l trade needs integrative bargaining, not winners vs. losers. China countered by shifting soybean buys to Russia, hurting US farmers & boosting a rival. Global deals aren’t real estate—short-term “wins” cause long-term losses.