Martha Burk

2 weeks ago | msmagazine.com | Martha Burk

By now we all know that President Trump’s various policies and announcements have targeted immigrants, institutions with DEI programs and several federal agencies, including ones that focus on media, libraries, museums and ending homelessness. But one of the biggest groups caught in his crosshairs is older women. He’s going after their well-being big time by all but demolishing Social Security through his so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

2 months ago | msmagazine.com | Martha Burk

We’re a month into Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s new slash-and-burn-the-government-down reign. One major target is the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), the government oversight agency charged with protecting consumers from unfair and unethical practices like predatory lending rates for everything from home mortgages to used cars, junk charges such as “resort” fees at fleabag hotels, and surprise “processing fees” or “closing fees” that weren’t disclosed upfront for loans.

2 months ago | msmagazine.com | Martha Burk

It’s a brand-new administration, and the new prez is determined to fight for the underdog—if his past pronouncements can be taken seriously. Case in point? “To those hotel workers and people who get tips, you are going to be very happy, because when I get to office we are going to not charge taxes on tips, people making tips,” Trump said last June. “We’re going to do that right away, first thing in office.” On Jan.

Oct 17, 2024 | msmagazine.com | Martha Burk

While there are lots of things on voters’ minds this fall, inflation and the economy consistently rank as top concerns for the electorate. Depending on who’s doing the talking, inflation can be blamed on President Joe Biden or on his predecessor, Donald Trump. But one—and perhaps the greatest—driver of higher prices lies under the radar: corporate profits. 2Companies providing goods and services have historically raised prices when their own costs, like raw materials and labor, go up. But no more.

Oct 1, 2024 | nevadacurrent.com | Martha Burk

Like it or not, abortion access has always been viewed as a “women’s problem.” Men rarely talked about it, at least not publicly, and it didn’t seem to rank very high on their list of political priorities. Not anymore. Since Donald Trump proudly took credit for overturning Roe v. Wade with his anti-choice Supreme Court appointments, men have been forced to pay more attention — particularly in red states with the most restrictive abortion policies.