https://freerepublic.com/tag/affordabilitytrope/ en-us Fri, 24 Jul 2026 03:34:11 GMT Focus Forum 15 https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4389165/posts Health care represents a major share of consumer spending in America, but the amount spent per resident varies considerably by location.New data from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis highlights the differences in per-capita health care spending across the country in 2024.The map below, via Visual Capitalist's Srijaa Chatterjee, ranks every state using the latest Personal Consumption Expenditures by State data from the BEA. Figures are reported in current dollars and allocated according to residents’ state of residence.Which States Spend the Most on Health Care?Below is a ranking of states based on per-person health care spending:RankStatePer-Capita Health Care Spending1Alaska$14,0442District of... Visual Capitalist https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4389165/posts#comment Fri, 24 Jul 2026 03:34:11 GMT https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4389066/posts U.S. oil just topped $90 a barrel and Brent crude is passed $100 a barrel. A number of new factors could mean this crude comeback has legs. For example, what happens if all Iranian oil suddenly went offline? It’s an outlier thought. Maybe it’s crazy. While we can’t all agree on much, can we at least agree that maybe now is the exact right time for crazy, outlier thoughts? Before I get to that, here’s a quick synopsis of where we stand right now with the nearly hour-by-hour headlines around Hormuz and energy. Angry militants in Iran continue to risk... CNBC https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4389066/posts#comment Thu, 23 Jul 2026 14:40:35 GMT https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4389096/posts yup https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4389096/posts#comment Thu, 23 Jul 2026 18:08:13 GMT https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4389081/posts Mortgage rates continued their ascent this week, climbing to a new 11-month high, as the escalating conflict in the Middle East put upward pressure on oil prices, sparking renewed inflation fears and leading investors to reassess the odds of a Federal Reserve rate hike. The average rate on 30-year fixed home loans reached 6.58% for the week ending July 23, up 3 basis points from 6.55% the previous week and the highest since early August 2025, according to Freddie Mac. For perspective, rates averaged 6.74% during the same period in 2025. "The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.58% this week," says... Realtor.com https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4389081/posts#comment Thu, 23 Jul 2026 16:11:54 GMT https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4388946/posts It’s hot NILF summer for American workers. The number of adults who are “not in the labor force” (NILF) surged to an all-time high in June to 105.8 million, according to figures from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. The record comes after a massive surge of 832,000 workers dropping out of the labor force in June alone. The overall number of NILFs is higher than at the height of the Great Recession or the COVID pandemic. The definition is broad — it covers all Americans age 16 and over who aren’t currently working, including retirees and students. Leading... New York Post https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4388946/posts#comment Wed, 22 Jul 2026 16:34:35 GMT https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4388971/posts Video Transcript SummarySummary of the Alex Jones interview with pollster Mark Mitchell (omitting ads/promotions):Mark Mitchell, who rebuilt Rasmussen Reports' accuracy and methodology before leaving, launched HonestPoll.com after being silenced for critical commentary on Trump. He describes pressure from PACs/Trump donors after his polling and analysis warned against certain policies. He positions himself as committed to honest voter representation (in the George Gallup tradition) over pleasing clients.Key Polling Findings & WarningsIran War/Military Action: Mid-January polls (delivered to the White House) showed weak support for using U.S. military force to overthrow the Ayatollah — only 17% strongly approve, 21% somewhat approve, with... X.com https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4388971/posts#comment Wed, 22 Jul 2026 20:01:31 GMT https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4387764/posts This bill slashes barriers to building homes, modernizes outdated Housing and Urban Development (HUD) programs, bolsters community banks, and stops big institutional investors from crowding out American families. It is unapologetic America First policy that proves Republicans can deliver results even when Congress moves slower than molasses. ... It even halts any Federal Reserve central bank digital currency until 2030. American Thinker https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4387764/posts#comment Mon, 13 Jul 2026 12:54:04 GMT