Family Subsidies 4-19-25

In tough economic times, families circle the wagons. Government overspending from 2021 to 2024 has left the US with 30% cumulative inflation. US jobs have been offshored since the 1990s. Many adult children have moved back home. 

In 2025, 96% of grandparents financially support their grandchildren to some degree. They contributed an average of $3,948 per year in 2024. US Inflation and job instability have resulted in many adult children and grandchildren living with their Parents and Grandparents. Because where you live is determined by where you work, families are scattered throughout the US. Grandparents have moved from State to State to be close to their kids and grandkids.

US parents and grandparents are increasingly involved in supporting their children and grandchildren, with grandparents often providing childcare, financial assistance, and other forms of support. 

Here's a more detailed look:

Grandparents as Childcare Providers: Many families rely on grandparents for regular, trusted childcare, especially as more parents work or attend school. 

Financial Support: A significant portion of grandparents provide financial assistance to their adult children and grandchildren. 

Other Forms of Support: Grandparents also help with errands, housework, and home repairs. 

Reasons for Grandparent Involvement: Grandparents may step into a more involved role due to factors like parental substance abuse, mental health challenges, or financial difficulties, or simply because they want to be involved in their grandchildren's lives. 

Data Points: About 20% of grandparents with grandchildren under 18 are providing regular childcare. 

8% provide daily or near-daily childcare. 

One in eight children lived with a grandparent by 2019.

In 2021, 3.2% of U.S. children were being raised by a grandmother, amounting to 2.3 million children. 

Roughly 32.7% of grandparents living with their grandchildren under the age of 18 were responsible for their care.

Grandparent-Grandchild Closeness: Social physiologists have identified factors that influence grandparent-grandchild closeness, such as living closer to grandparents, having a higher quality parent-grandparent relationship, and the child's age and gender. 

https://www.google.com/search?q=are+us+parents+and+grand+parents+supporting+their+kids

Comments

When Jesus said: “The poor will always be with you”, He was talking about your grandkids.

Our careers often require moving to new States. My wife and I grew up in St. Louis Mo. from 1943 to 1975.  We moved to Salina KS in 1975 and then to Dunwoody GA in 1983, with our 6 kids, ages 10 to 18. We and visited family in St. Louis every year. My wife finished Dental Hygiene School in 1986. Our kids liked Dunwoody and found lots of friends. The kids finished High School and College and married. Some moved to jobs in neighboring States. We became empty-nesters in 1993 at age 50. Our 6 kids had 12 grandkids and we became the grandparents they visited every year. In 2008, we became great grandparents and now have 6 great grandkids. My wife and I retired at age 74 in 2017.

 We kept the big house as the family home. One daughter divorced and continues to live with us. Our son is in DC. One daughter is in Florida, another daughter has homes in Florida and North Georgia and the other 2 girls live nearby in Metro Atlanta Georgia. Our Family Home has been a refuge for our kids and serves as the “party house” for holidays and drop-in visits. We will not allow any of our kids to become homeless.

Norb Leahy, Dunwoody GA Tea Party Leader

Personal Responsibility 4-19-25

Ethics teaches that our first responsibility is to ourselves. That means that each of our children need to prepare to support themselves. Our secondary responsibility as parents is to ensure that our children will be able to support themselves. This normally includes the ability to provide their own food and shelter. If our children are disabled, we need to ensure that they are taken care of.  The “Family Home” can provide a refuge for disabled children and all children during tough economic times. Every 100 years we get all new people. 

My grandparents had 12 children and lived in a large home the bought in 1905 for $5000. The oldest 2 boys died in World War II. The youngest 3 boys had muscular atrophy and were disabled. My grandfather was a Physician and made a good living. The family invested in a 4 unit apartment nearby and bought the house next door and converted it into a 2 unit apartment. My grandfather died in 1961 at age 75. My grandmother died in 1969 at age 86. One of my aunts continued to take care of her 3 disabled brothers until their deaths around age 50. Two of my cousins bought the homes and live there with their families. I grew up in a house across the street from these homes.

We now have the Family Home in Dunwoody Ga. Our 6 children are all grown and working. We have provided shelter, loans and bail-outs as needed over the years. We paid off our mortgage 20 years ago and have no plans to move. Our home continues as the “party house” for family gatherings and serves as a large, private old folks home for us. We enjoy this home. We have upgraded and maintained our home over the last 40 years and have done much of the work ourselves.

Norb Leahy, Dunwoody GA Tea Party Leader

US Auto Company Failures 4-18-25

US Auto Makers failed to factor in predictable trends after 1945, when they returned to auto production. The US economy boomed while Europe was rebuilding from 1945 through the 1950s. Gasoline was cheap and the Auto Companies didn’t anticipate any changes. They didn’t anticipate that gasoline prices would rise. They concentrated on building large, heavy cars with big engines.  

In the 1960s, US Auto Makers, GM, Ford and Chrysler held most of the market share in the US. These cars were affordable, but only lasted for 10 years and got 10 miles per gallon. In 1960, gasoline costs were low at 20 cents per gallon.

By 1970, the average cost of regular gasoline in the United States was around 36 cents per gallon. 

By 1980 the average cost of regular gasoline in the United States had risen to $1.19 per gallon. 

In the 1970s, The US Auto Makers had Poor Quality. Japanese Companies like Toyota and Honda were designing better quality cars that got better mileage and lasted longer. In 1974, the price of new US cars doubled from $4000 to $8000..

In 1980, Japanese automakers held a 21% market share in the U.S.

In 1990, Japanese automakers held approximately 32% of the U.S. automobile market share. 

In 2000, Toyota introduced the Prius Hybrid. In 2005, the Toyota Prius Hybrid had been redesigned to get 60mpg.

In 2005 the average price of regular gasoline in the U.S. in was $2.30 per gallon. 

In 2010 the average price of regular gasoline in the U.S. was $2.79 per gallon. 

In 2014, Chrysler was sold to Fiat.

In 2023, Ford's total market share was 12.8%.

In 2025, GM’s US Market Share is 16.8%.

Now in 2025, all new car prices are unaffordable. To survive, GM and Ford need to design a new car that sells for less tha $20,000 to expand their market share. 

In 2023, approximately 32.3% of US households had a household income below $50,000 per year. 

In 2023, approximately 41.5% of US households had a household income below $60,000, meaning around 53.8 million households. 

In 2025, it's estimated that at least half of US households have a household income below $70,000 per year, based on data indicating that 49.8% of Americans made $75,000 or more in 2022. 

US families with household incomes below $50,000 in the bottom 50% will not be buying new cars.

Norb Leahy, Dunwoody GA Tea Party Leader

US Auto Parts 4-18-25

Mexico is by far the largest exporter of auto parts to the U.S., followed by Canada, China, Japan, and South Korea, according to Commerce Department data. 

The list of the biggest vehicle exporters is similar: Mexico far outstrips other countries, followed by Japan, South Korea, Canada, and Germany.

Nearly half of all vehicles sold in the United States are imported, as well as nearly 60 percent of the parts in vehicles assembled in the United States.

Ford and GM, both major automakers, primarily design and manufacture their own engines, rather than sourcing them from external suppliers, although there have been some instances of using engines from other manufacturers. 

Ford and GM jointly developed a 10-speed automatic transmission, with Ford leading the engineering for the rear-drive version and GM leading the engineering for the 9-speed front-drive version, but each company manufactures its own version with unique software and tweaks. 

Ford relies on a global network of suppliers, including companies like NXP Semiconductors, STMicroelectronics, Renesas Electronics, Onsemi, Microchip Technology, and Valeo Electric and Electronic Systems, for its electronic components. 

GM sources its electronics, including semiconductor chips, through a combination of in-house production, partnerships, and a network of suppliers, including GlobalFoundries for semiconductor production and Wolfspeed for EV electronics. 

GM sources its electronics, including semiconductor chips, through a combination of in-house production, partnerships, and a network of suppliers, including GlobalFoundries for semiconductor production and Wolfspeed for EV electronics. 

Here's a more detailed breakdown:

In-house production:

GM has facilities like the Kokomo Operations plant in Kokomo, Indiana, which produces automotive electronic components like Engine Control Modules (ECMs), Body Control Modules (BCMs), Transmission Control Modules (TCMs), and Airbag Sensing Diagnostic Modules. 

Global Foundries Partnership:

GM has a long-term agreement with GlobalFoundries (GF) to secure a supply of semiconductor chips for future cars, with GF manufacturing key chip components in the United States at its facility in Malta, New York. 

Wolfspeed Collaboration:

GM and Wolfspeed are collaborating to develop domestically-sourced EV electronics, with Wolfspeed's silicon carbide devices enabling GM to install more efficient EV propulsion systems. 

Other Suppliers:

GM also relies on a network of suppliers, including Bose Corp. for sound systems and Mitsubishi Electric Co. for products for charging, starting, engine management, transmission control, and electric power steering systems. 

Focus on US Production:

GM is actively working to establish a strong, resilient supply of critical technology in the U.S. through partnerships and investments, including a recent agreement with Lithium Americas to develop U.S.-sourced lithium production. 

Who are General Motors' (GM) main suppliers?

By J.B. Maverick Updated August 06, 2022

Reviewed by JeFreda R. Brown, Fact checked by Timothy Li

General Motors Co. (GM) is a multinational corporation with headquarters in Detroit, Mich. The company designs, manufactures, and markets vehicles and vehicle parts, and was a leader in total worldwide vehicle sales for decades. Today, GM produces vehicles in 30 countries, under 10 different brands, including Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, and Cadillac.12 It remains one of the world’s largest automakers in regard to vehicle unit sales and depends on a wide array of suppliers in its manufacturing process.

Key Suppliers

General Motors has a number of joint ventures in emerging market nations, such as SAIC General Motors in Shanghai, China, Ghandhara Industries in Pakistan, and General Motors India.  Structurally, GM is grouped into five business segments: GM Financial, GM Cruise, GM International, and GM North America.

Key Takeaways

GM is one of the largest automakers, producing vehicles in 30 countries under 10 brands.

Given its international presence and large vehicle production, GM has established relationships with numerous suppliers around the globe.

After filing for bankruptcy, General Motors returned to the market with an IPO in 2010, and the stock trades under the symbol GM.

The company has been investing in electric vehicles and self-driving car technologies.

Given its international reach and various business segments, GM has developed an extensive list of suppliers around the world.

NGK Spark Plug Co. supplies GM's vehicles with spark plugs. 

The Mold Masters Co., also based in Mich., molds and supplies GM with plastics for the vehicle instrument panels, consoles, and garnish trim.

The Bose Corp. specializes in all types of audio equipment and provides GM with primary parts for the sound systems within its vehicles.

Mitsubishi Electric Co. is another primary supplier for GM, providing vehicles with products for charging and starting, engine management, transmission control, and electric power steering systems.

WardsAuto. "Mitsubishi Electric Adds GM Business."

https://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/052715/who-are-general-motors-g

Comments

Prior to NAFTA, US Auto Parts were made in the US with close supply chains located near Detroit.  The Globalism Fad in the 1990s resulted in the offshoring of most US manufacturing.

The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) came into effect on January 1, 1994, and was later replaced by the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA) on July 1, 2020. Auto Parts Manufacturing was offshored to Mexico and Canada. Reshoring Auto Parts Manufacturing to the US will shorten supply chains and reduce costs.

Now in 2025, Auto Parts Manufacturing Plants are likely to return to the US.

Reshoring auto parts to the US could take some time. The US auto companies have lost market share and made their cars too expensive. They spent a fortune developing “cheaper” global supply chain and will spend another fortune reshoring it. They spent a fortune developing EVs that didn’t sell and now need to return to gas-powered cars and Hybrids. These are not smart guys.

Norb Leahy, Dunwoody GA Tea Party Leader

US New Car Sales 4-18-25

Here's a summary of US new car sales by year, including recent trends and key figures: In 2024, US new car sales rose to a five-year high, reaching 15.9 million units, up 2.2% from 2023, with sales boosted by hybrid vehicles. 

Here's a more detailed look at US new car sales by year: 

Recent Trends:

·       2024: US new car sales rose to a five-year high, reaching 15.9 million units, up 2.2% from 2023. 

·       2023: U.S. auto sales reached about 15.5 million units, an 11.6% jump from 13.9 million vehicles sold in 2022. 

·       2022: Sales declined due to supply chain issues and higher prices. 

·       2021: Sales rebounded slightly from 2020's dismal numbers, but were still below pre-pandemic levels. 

·       2020: Sales were significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

·       Pre-Pandemic (2019): Americans bought 17 million cars. 

·       Peak Years (2015-2016): The U.S. auto market hit a record for new cars, with 17.5 million in sales in 2015. Sales the following year were flat then dipped to 17.2 million in 2017 and rebounded in 2018, rising to 17.3 million. 

Key Figures:

·       2024: 15.9 million vehicles sold.

·       2023: 15.5 million vehicles sold.

·       2022: 13.9 million vehicles sold.

·       2021: 15.1 million vehicles sold.

·       2020: 14.6 million vehicles sold.

·       2019: 17.1 million vehicles sold.

·       2018: 17.3 million vehicles sold.

·       2017: 17.2 million vehicles sold.

·       2016: 17.55 million vehicles sold.

·       2015: 17.47 million vehicles sold. 

In 2023, the average selling price for a new light vehicle in the US was around $47,010, and in 2024, it was $48,401, showing a slight decrease from the peak of $49,507 in December 2022. 

Here's a more detailed look at the trends:

2021: The largest increase occurred in 2021, when the average price rose by 14%, from $41,152 to $47,077. 

2022: New light vehicles were about 1.6 percent more expensive in 2023 than in 2022. 

2023: The average selling price for a new light vehicle in the US came to around 47,010 U.S. dollars. 

2024: Prices decreased by 1.5% in 2023 to $48,759 and continued a modest drop to $48,401 in 2024. 

Factors: Supply chain disruptions and heightened demand during the pandemic likely drove the spike in prices in 2021 and 2022. 

Recent Trends: The average transaction price for new cars is $49,740, which is down slightly from the peak of $49,929 in December 2022. 

Electric Vehicles:  The average price paid for a new electric vehicle last month was $55,353, with EV prices falling 10.8% compared to year-ago numbers.

In 2023, approximately 78% of the US population, or about 260 million people, were 18 years of age or older. 

Here's a breakdown of the US population by age group: 

·       Under 18: Approximately 22% of the population, or 73.2 million people.

·       18 and over: Approximately 78% of the population, or 260.0 million people.

·       18-44 years: 36%

·       45-64 years: 24.6%

·       65 and over: 17.7%

Comments

The 260 million US population 18 and over are potential auto consumers. Most are buying used cars that cost under $20,000. Most cars look alike.

The US needs new cars that are more affordable. The cheapest new car you can buy in the US for 2025 is the 2025 Nissan Versa, starting at around $18,330.

I bought my first car in 1959 at age 16 from my mom for $100. It was a 1946 Plymouth. Gasoline was 20 cents per gallon. I earned $5 per hour playing 3 band jobs per week in my “Rock Band”.  I made $45 per week. That was $2340 per year. I also worked each Summer and made another $1000.  The US median family income in 1959 was $5,400.

The average cost of a new car in 1959 was around $2,200. Now the average cost of a new car in 2025 is $48,000.

Norb Leahy, Dunwoody GA Tea Party Leader

EPA Changes 4-17-25

EPA Launches Biggest Deregulatory Action in U.S. History. Administrator Zeldin Announces 31 Historic Actions to Power the Great American Comeback, March 12, 2025. 

WASHINGTON – U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin announced the agency will undertake 31 historic actions in the greatest and most consequential day of deregulation in U.S. history, to advance President Trump’s Day One executive orders and Power the Great American Comeback. Combined, these announcements represent the most momentous day in the history of the EPA. While accomplishing EPA’s core mission of protecting the environment, the agency is committed to fulfilling President Trump’s promise to unleash American energy, lower cost of living for Americans, revitalize the American auto industry, restore the rule of law, and give power back to states to make their own decisions.  

“Today is the greatest day of deregulation our nation has seen. We are driving a dagger straight into the heart of the climate change religion to drive down cost of living for American families, unleash American energy, bring auto jobs back to the U.S. and more,” said EPA Administrator Zeldin. 

“Alongside President Trump, we are living up to our promises to unleash American energy, lower costs for Americans, revitalize the American auto industry, and work hand-in-hand with our state partners to advance our shared mission,” added EPA Administrator Zeldin.  

These historic actions will roll back trillions in regulatory costs and hidden “taxes” on U.S. families. As a result of these announcements, the cost of living for American families will decrease. It will be more affordable to purchase a car, heat homes, and operate a business. It will be more affordable to bring manufacturing into local communities while individuals widely benefit from the tangible economic impacts. 

These actions will create American jobs, including incredible progress to bring back American auto jobs. The Biden and Obama era regulations being reconsidered have suffocated nearly every single sector of the American economy.  

Today, EPA Administrator Zeldin announced the following actions: 

UNLEASHING AMERICAN ENERGY  

·       Reconsideration of regulations on power plants (Clean Power Plan 2.0) 

·       Reconsideration of regulations throttling the oil and gas industry (OOOO b/c) 

·       Reconsideration of Mercury and Air Toxics Standards that improperly targeted coal-fired power plants (MATS) 

·       Reconsideration of mandatory Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program that imposed significant costs on the American energy supply (GHG Reporting Program) 

·       Reconsideration of limitations, guidelines and standards (ELG) for the Steam Electric Power Generating Industry to ensure low-cost electricity while protecting water resources (Steam Electric ELG) 

·       Reconsideration of wastewater regulations for oil and gas development to help unleash American energy (Oil and Gas ELG) 

·       Reconsideration of Biden-Harris Administration Risk Management Program rule that made America’s oil and natural gas refineries and chemical facilities less safe (Risk Management Program Rule) 

LOWERING THE COST OF LIVING FOR AMERICAN FAMILIES 

·       Reconsideration of light-duty, medium-duty, and heavy-duty vehicle regulations that provided the foundation for the Biden-Harris electric vehicle mandate (Car GHG Rules) 

·       Reconsideration of the 2009 Endangerment Finding and regulations and actions that rely on that Finding (Endangerment Finding) 

·       Reconsideration of technology transition rule that forces companies to use certain technologies that increased costs on food at grocery stores and semiconductor manufacturing (Technology Transition Rule) 

·       Reconsideration of Particulate Matter National Ambient Air Quality Standards that shut down opportunities for American manufacturing and small businesses (PM 2.5 NAAQS) 

·       Reconsideration of multiple National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for American energy and manufacturing sectors (NESHAPs) 

·       Restructuring the Regional Haze Program that threatened the supply of affordable energy for American families (Regional Haze) 

·       Overhauling Biden-Harris Administration’s “Social Cost of Carbon” 

·       Redirecting enforcement resources to EPA’s core mission to relieve the economy of unnecessary bureaucratic burdens that drive up costs for American consumers (Enforcement Discretion) 

·       Terminating Biden’s Environmental Justice and DEI arms of the agency (EJ/DEI) 

ADVANCING COOPERATIVE FEDERALISM  

·       Ending so-called “Good Neighbor Plan” which the Biden-Harris Administration used to expand federal rules to more states and sectors beyond the program’s traditional focus and led to the rejection of nearly all State Implementation Plans 

·       Working with states and tribes to resolve massive backlog with State Implementation Plans and Tribal Implementation Plans that the Biden-Harris Administration refused to resolve (SIPs/TIPs) 

·       Reconsideration of exceptional events rulemaking to work with states to prioritize the allowance of prescribed fires within State and Tribal Implementation Plans (Exceptional Events) 

·       Reconstituting Science Advisory Board and Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (SAB/CASAC) 

·       Prioritizing coal ash program to expedite state permit reviews and update coal ash regulations (CCR Rule) 

·       Utilizing enforcement discretion to further North Carolina’s recovery from Hurricane Helene 

https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-launches-biggest-deregulatory-action-us-history

Norb Leahy, Dunwoody GA Tea Party Leader

EPA Laws and Executive Orders 4-17-25

A number of laws serve as EPA's foundation for protecting the environment and public health. However, most laws do not have enough detail to be put into practice right away. 

More Information

·       Basics of the Regulatory Process

·       External Resources

EPA is called a regulatory agency because Congress authorizes us to write regulations that explain the critical details necessary to implement environmental laws. In addition, a number of Presidential Executive Orders (EOs) play a central role in our activities. 

·       Summaries of environmental laws and Executive Orders (EOs)

·       Summaries of laws and Executive Orders (EOs) that influence EPA's regulatory process

Summaries of environmental laws and EOs

The following laws and EOs help to protect human health and the environment. EPA is charged with administering all or a part of each.

·       American Innovation and Manufacturing Act (AIM)

·       Atomic Energy Act (AEA)

·       Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health (BEACH) Act

·       Chemical Safety Information, Site Security and Fuels Regulatory Relief Act

·       Clean Air Act (CAA)

·       Clean Water Act (CWA) (original title: Federal Water Pollution Control Amendments of 1972)

·       Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA, or Superfund)

·       Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA)

·       Endangered Species Act (ESA)

·       Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA)

·       Energy Policy Act

·       EO 13045: Protection of Children From Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks

·       EO 13211: Actions Concerning Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use

·       Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA)

·       Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA)

·       Federal Water Pollution Control Amendments - See Clean Water Act

·       Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) - See also FFDCA and FIFRA

·       Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act (MPRSA, also known as the Ocean Dumping Act)

·       National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)

·       National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act (NTTAA)

·       Noise Control Act

·       Nuclear Waste Policy Act (NWPA)

·       Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA)

·       Ocean Dumping Act - See Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act

·       Oil Pollution Act (OPA)

·       Pesticide Registration Improvement Act (PRIA) - See FIFRA

·       Pollution Prevention Act (PPA)

·       Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)

·       Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA)

·       Shore Protection Act (SPA)

·       Superfund - See Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act

·       Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) - See Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act

·       Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)

Summaries of laws and EOs that influence the regulatory process

The following laws and EOs help to protect human health and the environment. EPA is charged with administering all or a part of each.

·       Administrative Procedure Act (APA)

·       Congressional Review Act (CRA)

·       EO 12866: Regulatory Planning and Review

·       EO 13132: Federalism

·       EO 13175: Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments

·       EO 13563: Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review - See EO 12866: Regulatory Planning and Review

·       EO 13859: Maintaining American Leadership in Artificial Intelligence

·       Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA)

·       Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)

·       Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA)

·       Privacy Act

·       Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA)

·       Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act (SBREFA) - See Regulatory Flexibility Act

·       Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA)

Laws & Regulations Last updated on January 29, 2025

https://www.epa.gov/laws-regulations/laws-and-executive-orders

Comments

Our Environmental Craziness began with “Save the Whales” in the 1960s and is ending with “Save the Whales” from expensive and ineffective Wind Turbines in 2025.

Norb Leahy, Dunwoody GA Tea Party Leader