Goldman Sachs Warns US Budget on Unsustainable Path

Senator Ted Cruz's recent interview with Tucker Carlson on the topic of regime change in Iran has sparked discussions about the art of debate and persuasion. The interview, which was reminiscent of college debating circuits, highlighted several key points about effective communication and persuasion.

In a parliamentary debate, participants are given a resolution and have a limited time to prepare. The opposition does not know how the "government" will interpret the resolution until the first speaker begins. This dynamic is similar to an interview where the questions and facts are unknown beforehand. The ability to convince others that the opponent is incorrect is often more important than extensive knowledge of the topic.

Effective debaters appeal to logic, emotion, and common sense. They use humor and empathy to connect with their audience. However, it is crucial to do thorough research, especially when taking a controversial stance or disrupting the status quo. Not knowing basic facts about a country or the source of a biblical reference can undermine one's credibility and make them appear defensive and angry.

Cruz's interview with Carlson demonstrated the importance of being well-prepared and avoiding reckless rhetoric. When engaging in controversial topics, it is essential to present facts and avoid personal attacks. The audience will reflect on how each side fared on the facts, and reckless rhetoric can invite criticism and undermine one's argument.

In the context of the ongoing situation with Iran, the White House has given Iran two weeks to negotiate. The president's decision to hold off on bombing Iran highlights the importance of diplomacy and negotiation in resolving conflicts.

Goldman Sachs analysts have warned about the consequences of the "Big, Beautiful Bill" budget, stating that it will keep the U.S. budget on an unsustainable path. The primary deficit is much larger than usual in a strong economy, and the debt-to-GDP ratio is approaching post-WWII highs.

President Trump has also expressed his views on the number of holidays in the U.S., stating that there are too many non-working holidays and that it is costing the country billions of dollars. He has also criticized Fed chair Jerome Powell for not cutting interest rates, stating that Powell is costing the country hundreds of billions of dollars.

In other news, executives in Asia are struggling with slowing productivity, and one solution could be giving younger generations more power in the workplace. The luxury industry is also facing challenges, with a new study showing that the sector shrank by 3% in Q1 of 2024 compared to the same quarter last year.

The recent Spain blackout was not due to renewable energy, as initially thought. An incident of instability in the grid spiraled when other suppliers, mostly gas-fired, failed to balance the supply, causing the entire network to trip.