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Google has finally been dealt the blow it long deserved. Last week, U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema ruled in Virginia that Google’s digital ad network constitutes an illegal monopoly—a ruling that is already sending shockwaves through Big Tech and putting Silicon Valley on notice. For years, Google has thrived by gobbling up smaller competitors and consolidating control over digital advertising, manipulating markets to fuel its $1.8 trillion empire. Now, justice has caught up.

This ruling marks the second time in less than a year that federal courts have branded Google as an abusive monopolist. Last August, another federal judge found Google’s ubiquitous search engine guilty of illegally leveraging its dominance to crush competition and suppress innovation. Taken together, these rulings draw a clear picture: Google’s dominance hasn’t been earned through fair competition but through predatory practices designed to strangle rivals and limit consumer choice.

The Justice Department first set its sights on Google’s search engine monopoly during President Trump’s first term—a long-overdue action that was finally pursued. When Biden’s administration later targeted Google’s lucrative ad network, many conservatives worried this might amount to mere political grandstanding. But the evidence presented in court was undeniable. Google’s anti-competitive practices have had a devastating effect on online publishers, especially news outlets struggling to survive in today’s digital landscape.

“For over a decade, Google has tied its publisher ad server and ad exchange together through contractual policies and technological integration, which enabled the company to establish and protect its monopoly power,” Judge Brinkema wrote in her scathing 115-page decision. “Google further entrenched its monopoly power by imposing anticompetitive policies on its customers and eliminating desirable product features.”

This ruling is far more than a slap on the wrist—it’s a direct call to action against a digital behemoth whose unchecked power threatens the very foundation of free-market capitalism. Brinkema’s decision specifically highlights the harm done to publishers, including prominent conservative media outlets, who have been forced to depend on Google’s manipulated ad exchange for revenue. The judge rejected Google’s defense that publishers “have many options,” noting instead that Google’s dominance left publishers little choice but to accept the tech giant’s oppressive terms.

Attorney General Pamela Bondi didn’t mince words, calling the decision a “landmark victory in the ongoing fight to stop Google from monopolizing the digital public square.” She’s right. Google has built its empire on the backs of hardworking Americans and small businesses that rely on fair competition to survive. Its monopoly power doesn’t just hurt economic freedom—it threatens free speech itself, as publishers dependent on Google’s ad revenue often fear retribution if they dare criticize the tech giant.

Google, of course, immediately vowed to appeal. The company claimed in a statement that it disagreed with the court’s findings, arguing its tools provide affordable and effective options for publishers. But conservative Americans who’ve witnessed firsthand Big Tech’s relentless censorship and bias aren’t buying Google’s excuses. For years, we’ve watched as Google demonetized conservative voices and rigged search results against viewpoints it disliked. This ruling confirms what many on the right have long known: Google’s dominance isn’t just economic—it’s ideological. And it must be dismantled.

The Justice Department now has the opportunity to follow through on its proposed remedy, potentially forcing Google to sell off parts of its advertising technology. This would be a welcome step toward restoring a free and fair digital marketplace. It would also send a clear message to other Big Tech giants, from Facebook to Amazon, that the era of unlimited Silicon Valley power is at an end.

Under President Trump’s leadership, America has returned to its foundational principles: strong borders, economic nationalism, and a government that works for the American people—not against them. Breaking Google’s illegal monopoly aligns perfectly with these America First priorities. It strengthens our economy by giving small businesses and publishers a fighting chance, restores fairness in our markets, and puts the interests of everyday Americans above the profits of Big Tech elites.

It’s time to finish what we’ve started and reclaim the digital public square for the American people. Google’s monopolistic reign must end—for the sake of our economy, our democracy, and our liberty.

It’s time to face the economic reality staring us dead in the eye and ask ourselves a vital question: what’s really happening with our money, and more importantly, what should we do about it? With gold’s meteoric rise of 90% in the past five years, you’d think we’d struck it rich. Yet, even this bright-shining old standard can barely maintain its value against the tidal wave of new dollars flooding the marketplace. In 2020 alone, over 40% of our USD supply was created, a staggering figure that should send chills down every fiscally responsible spine. Imagine, over a century of hard-earned value diluted with the digital swipe of a button. It’s no wonder folks are feeling the squeeze in their wallets.

But there’s another player on the field, one that’s both intriguing and polarizing: Bitcoin. Yes, amid the noise, speculation, and dare I say, hysteria surrounding cryptocurrencies, let’s cut the nonsense and look at the numbers. With a 1,000% gain since the COVID crash, Bitcoin has outperformed every major asset class. Let’s not mince words here: that’s not just a performance; it’s a seismic shift. Bitcoin, a decentralized currency not tethered to any government agenda or policy, challenges the established monetary order in ways we’ve never seen before. Now, I know what you’re thinking—Bitcoin’s volatility is notorious, enough to make even seasoned investors break into a cold sweat. But set that aside for a moment and consider its long-term resilience.

What does all of this tell us? First and foremost, the relentless printing of money by elite policymakers isn’t a victimless crime. Inflation is no longer just an economic concept confined to university textbooks; it’s an immediate threat. Every time they churn out more cash, it’s your savings that get devalued. The purchasing power you’ve painstakingly built doesn’t just erode; it hemorrhages. You’ve got to wonder if this is a deliberate act to create dependency or just sheer incompetence.

As conservatives, we are champions for limited government and fiscal responsibility. The reckless monetary policy we’re seeing is a clarion call for change. How do we, as individuals and as a nation, preserve our financial sovereignty? Gold has always been a fortress, and for good reason. It’s tangible, with centuries of trust anchored to its name. Holding physical gold is like owning a piece of financial history that bureaucrats can’t inflate away.

But the conversation doesn’t stop at tradition. Enter Bitcoin—a new-age asset that’s redefining what money can be. Its verifiable scarcity and decentralized nature make it an attractive option for those seeking refuge from government overreach. Bitcoin invites us to imagine a world where currency is not manipulated by the whims of political elites but is, instead, governed by immutable code. For many, this represents financial freedom in its purest form.

It’s crucial, however, that we approach Bitcoin with eyes wide open. It’s not the perfect solution, and its volatility presents legitimate risks. But allow me to put it this way: as conservatives, we respect innovation when it aligns with our principles of individual liberty and free markets. Bitcoin embodies these ideas. It might not replace gold, but it certainly complements it, offering perhaps the best of both worlds—a digital hedge against government malfeasance.

In essence, we stand at a crossroads of economic history. What does it mean to preserve wealth in a world of reckless monetary policy? Perhaps a diversified approach, striking a balance between the enduring legacy of gold and the cutting-edge promise of Bitcoin, aligns best with conservative values.

It’s time we take control, protect our assets, and set the stage for an economic future that aligns with our core principles—limited government, individual responsibility, and, above all, liberty in our financial affairs. The message is clear: our economic destiny isn’t written by those who print, but by those who prepare.

Step aside! The silent majority is roaring back to life, echoing across this great nation with the heartbeat of true American values. While progressives busily dismantle the foundational tenets that built America, conservatives are rallying to counteract the damage. We have watched the left’s insatiable appetite for control wreak havoc on our core liberties, and now, it’s time to reclaim the reins of governance and remind everyone of what makes America remarkable.

At the heart of this dynamic revival is the Make America Great Again movement—a powerful banner under which freedom-loving citizens unite. This isn’t just a slogan; it’s a call to action, a guiding philosophy that places American interests above all else. Yet, how have we arrived at this juncture, where our way of life is threatened daily by misguided policies and overreach? Let’s delve into the gnawing issues that conservatives are determined to address.

First, let’s talk about economic freedom—a cornerstone of the MAGA agenda. The left’s relentless push toward socialism under the guise of equity constitutes an existential threat to our capitalistic foundations. Take, for instance, the spectacle surrounding Green New Deal-type policies. Their resistant-to-reality regulations threaten to stifle innovation and kill jobs, all in the name of an ideology that seems to abhor human prosperity. Instead of fostering an environment where enterprise can flourish, where businesses can innovate and expand, these reckless plans endanger our economic vitality.

Next, consider the erosion of traditional values at the hands of progressive activists. The cultural upheaval we’re witnessing is guiding the generations toward a dangerous disconnect with history—a history that embodies principles of hard work, individual responsibility, and patriotism. Take education, for example. Schools are morphing into indoctrination camps, prioritizing social justice over factual learning, where CRT (Critical Race Theory) and other divisive doctrines poison young minds. We must reaffirm the importance of a balanced education system that celebrates our collective national achievements rather than fixating on perceived past transgressions.

Then, there’s the left’s unabated assault on our constitutional rights, notably the Second Amendment. While they argue for so-called “common sense” gun control, what they really seek is to infringe on the fundamental right to bear arms—a right that empowers individuals to defend themselves from threats, both foreign and domestic. The irony here is that the very champions of personal autonomy when it comes to certain freedoms seem more than willing to strip others away without hesitation.

But let’s talk facts, folks. Under the Trump administration, we saw an undeniable boom—a period of unparalleled economic growth, reduced unemployment, and increased national security. The America First doctrine catalyzed a new era of optimism, driving home the simple truth: when you put American interests first, America wins. It’s this common-sense approach that we’re clawing back onto the national stage—no apologies, no compromises. We put faith in our citizens, not in bureaucrats and certainly not in foreign powers who don’t have our best interests in mind.

The conservative awakening is more than a reaction; it’s a robust proactive blueprint to protect and advance what makes America exceptional. We need leaders who respect borders, champion economic freedoms, and invest in defending our foundational liberties. This isn’t hyperbole or grandstanding—this is the bare minimum for preserving the American way of life.

So, as we gaze toward the horizon, it’s our duty to act. Whether it’s turning out to vote or simply engaging in civil discourse, our voices carry the weight to make a difference. Let’s stand firm, rooted in our conviction and clarity of purpose. The road ahead may be fraught with challenges, but with bold action and unwavering belief in our nation’s promise, we can Make America Great Again—today, tomorrow, and for generations yet to come.

We are not just another voice in the wilderness; we are the beacon guiding America back to its rightful place of honor and strength. It is time to rise and reclaim our exceptionalism.

If you have the cash to invest and are willing to let time be an ally, the following two stocks all have the potential to turn $100,000 into $1 million by year 2030.

Teladoc Health

Telehealth giant Teladoc Health was one of the biggest disappointments of 2021. After soaring during the beginning stages of the Covid pandemic, concerns about bigger-than-expected losses connected to its Livongo Health acquisition, drove shares over 70% below their all-time high.

However, traders with time on their side could buy Teladoc Health now and take pride in owning a top innovator in personalized care.

The best way to tell that telemedicine is here to stay is to take a look at Teladoc’s sales growth before the pandemic. In the seven years that led up to the outbreak of the coronavirus, the company had averaged yearly sales growth of 74%. That is not a year or two of just being in the right place at the right time. Sales growth that is this consistent signals a sustained shift in the way that treatment is being administered within the U.S.

The best thing about telemedicine is that it gives benefits up and down the treatment chain. It is almost always more convenient for its patients, and it allows physicians to have easier access to chronically ill patients. The easy access should result in better patient outcomes and decreased costs for health insurance businesses.

What’s more, the increased costs associated with Teladoc’s buyout of top applied health signals company Livongo Health will not carry over into its 2022 financial results. This means traders can focus on what is important — i.e., Livongo’s efforts to attract more chronic-care members to its service.

Teladoc has the innovation and solutions to be one of the quickest-growing healthcare stocks this decade.

PubMatic

A small-cap growth stock with big-cap aspirations that might realistically 10x investors’ cash by the turn of the decade is PubMatic.

PubMatic is a cloud-based, sell-side programmatic ad platform. In more simple terms, this means PubMatic’s solutions manage the optimization of ad placement for its customers, the publishers selling their display space. While publishers do provide some level of input, such as the minimum price they would be willing to accept for their display space, it is PubMatic’s programmatic ad platform that manages everything else.

What makes PubMatic such a great buy over the long term is the undeniable shift of advertising money to digital platforms. According to the business, global digital ad investments have been predicted to grow by a yearly rate of 10% through year 2024, with respective compound yearly growth rates of 11%, 17%, and 11% for video, mobile, and connected TV ads through 2025.

With this shift to investing in digital ads picking up steam, PubMatic is looking like the best name to own in the programmatic ad space.

Author: Steven Sinclaire

Despite some enormous gains, crypto projects that provide competitive advantages, real-world appeal and differentiation still have some potential of going considerably higher. With that in mind the cryptocurrency space is highly volatile and prone to corrections, the following two coins might quadruple (or possibly go even higher) by 2025.

Algorand

There are many ways blockchain technology-based projects and digital currencies can be winners. What helps make Algorand so enticing is the role it might play for companies in the blockchain space.

Algorand has a lot of competitive advantages when it comes to scalability and speed. As of Dec. 2021, the network was managing 1,162 transactions each second and provided a block finality of 4.36 secs. The latter means that the sending of data, money or files reached its destination and was settled/validated in under just five seconds.

Compare this to two well-known networks, Ethereum (CRYPTO:ETH) and Bitcoin (CRYPTO:BTC), which have the ability to only handle 13 TPS and 7 TPS, respectively, and have transaction finalities of 60 mins and six mins. That is how much quicker ALGO is compared to some of the most popular blockchain networks.

But what helps make Algorand so attractive to companies is its focus on interoperability.

There are currently over 16,000 cryptos listed, and countless more blockchain projects being developed for nonfinancial and financial applications. While several of these projects are created to work with blockchain projects that already exist, it is much more likely that these unique blockchain networks won’t be compatible with one another. Algorand is all about bridging this gap and making decentralized finance (DeFi) more mainstream for companies and consumers.

Not many cryptos have an enterprise focus, but Algorand’s might make it an absolute rock star.

IOTA

A second crypto that has the potential to jump 300% or more by mid-decade is the less popular IOTA (CRYPTO:MIOTA).

With an aforementioned 16,000-plus cryptos listed, uniqueness and a superior network are crucial for success. Despite being an under-the-radar project, IOTA has brought both of these qualities to the table.

The single largest differentiating factor with IOTA is that it isn’t based on blockchain. One of the secrets that helps make IOTA tick is called the “Tangle.” The Tangle is a directed acyclic graph (DAG) that mandates each new transaction to confirm at minimum two previous transactions. You could sort of imagine this as an individual who is looking back at their ancestry and seeing the oldest family member connect to new lineages over many decades or centuries. Over time, the connections between transactions on IOTA’s DAG begin to seem a lot like a tangled web.

The reason IOTA’s creators have chosen this route instead of blockchain is simple: cost and speed. Blockchain networks are more prone to congestion, and they could be slowed down by the need to add consensus to validate transactions and/or propose additional blocks. A network sans blockchain means fast scaling could happen without adversely having an impact on the network.

Another piece of exciting news for IOTA is the release of staking, which occurred last month. Investors are now able to stake their own coins to earn either Assembly or Shimmer tokens. The latter is a fee-free smart contract-based network set to be released this year.

And the final reason you should be hyped about IOTA’s potential is its existing partnership with information tech. solutions company Dell Technologies. IOTA is partnered with Dell to analyze the trustworthiness of data before it is used by an application. IOTA receiving recognition from brand-name companies is a great sign for this under-the-radar crypto.

Author: Scott Dowdy
Microsoft just announced its plans to buy Activision Blizzard for $95 a share, putting the deal at a huge $68.7 billion. The new deal would make the new entity the “third-largest” gaming company by revenue, as reported by Microsoft, and would put games such as Call of Duty, Candy Crush and World of Warcraft under the new company’s umbrella. Microsoft wants to put Activision Blizzard video games on their Game Pass after the deal is finished.

Mobile gaming is also a huge factor in the purchase, Microsoft said. On top of phone games being brought into Microsoft’s business, the purchase also promises to bring in franchises such as Halo and Warcraft to more devices.

The buyout is believed to close sometime during Microsoft’s fiscal 2023 if officials and Activision Blizzard shareholders approve of the move. The boards both firms have already green-lit the deal.

While news of the merger comes as Activision Blizzard is still experiencing a misconduct scandal, you should not expect huge leadership changes. Bobby Kotick will continue as Activision Blizzard’s CEO even with calls for his resignation, and will now report to Microsoft Gaming leader Phil Spencer. Separately, though, the WSJ reports that Kotick will leave right after the deal is complete, a move that would not be unexpected given that Spencer will be spearheading Microsoft’s gaming plans. In a company message, Kotick said Microsoft’s move was a chance to “further bolster” Activision Blizzard’s culture and “set a fresh standard” for inclusiveness. He did not go over specific plans for reform, but did say there would be “minimal changes” to staff numbers after the union was done.

If the deal moves forward, the merger would aid Microsoft in competing with heavyweights like Tencent and Sony, which have both been buying companies in recent months. Kotick also said this helps his company better compete as the metaverse gaming sphere rises to the mainstream. In that light, this might be as much about future-proofing the company as anything else.

Some major issues remain, though. Microsoft did not say how many Activision Blizzard games would be Xbox-exclusive, or Windows-exclusives. It is also unclear how much Microsoft could influence development of certain franchises. It is not certain if Microsoft will lock Call of Duty or other large games to the Xbox in the future, though.

Author: Steven Sinclaire

Last year, Wall Street was pretty much unstoppable. The S&P 500 underwent only one small correction and went on its way toward a 27% gain. It continued what is been the strongest return from a bear-market bottom ever.

Yet even with this bounce, Wall Street still sees huge upside in marijuana stocks. Cannabis-focused analytics company BDSA predicts that legal weed sales could double from an estimated $31 billion in 2021 to reach $62.1 billion by 2026. That is a lot of green that will be fueled by growth in North America, especially for these two stocks:

Aurora Cannabis

Among pot stocks on major exchanges, Aurora Cannabis looks to give good return potential. Analyst Pablo Zuanic from Cantor Fitzgerald thinks that Aurora could go up to $10.75 Canadian (which is $8.50 U.S.) per share, which would represent an upside of 46% over the next year.

Unfortunately, Aurora’s past management team could have overestimated the increase of recreational pot in Canada and the rollout of medical cannabis out of its domestic market. In reply, the company has closed some of its smaller facilities, halted construction on others, and even got rid of assets, to remove its expenses. Zuanic’s price target usually takes into account the expectation of less costs, modestly greater sales, and less cash outflow.

But even CA$10.75 per share could be asking too much for a company that has reduced its cash outflows but keeps burning through its capital and losing money on a routine basis. As the Canadian adult-useless market has gotten better, consumers have gravitated toward lower-margin cheaper brands, which is also not doing Aurora Cannabis any favors.

Sundial Growers

Another very popular pot stock that might see huge gains in 2022, at least if Wall Street is right, is Sundial Growers. Zuanic at Cantor Fitzgerald has the top price target on Sundial ($1.15). If this prognostication is right, shares of the firm could almost double in 2022.

The attraction of Sundial continues to be the company’s huge cash position. Taking into account completed and pending purchases, the company had $571 million in unrestricted cash and no debt as of November 9, 2021. Only a couple of cannabis firms have a larger cash pile than Sundial.

While there is no denying that Sundial’s cash is good, how the company raised the money is a major issue. Since September 30, 2020, Sundial has given around 1.6 billion shares of stock through registered offerings and at-the-market sales. With around 2.1 billion shares now outstanding, Sundial’s chance of getting meaningful earnings per share is almost zero.

Author: Scott Dowdy

The crypto sector as a whole has been under some pressure in the past months. At this same time, many signs point to digital coins turning into well-respected programming and financial tools. The crypto winter is not likely to last much longer, which means it is high time to pick up the best coins and tokens while the fire sale lasts.

In particular, I see a great future for the cross-border coin called Ripple and its XRP token.

XRP trades at a huge artificial discount

XRP prices have gone down by 41% since its recent peak in mid-November, beating powerhouse Bitcoin and the decentralized programming coin Ethereum by a huge margin.

The SEC case against the coin seems likely to end soon, and in Ripple’s favor too. When this happens, XRP’s token could spike much higher. Popular crypto exchanges like Kraken, Binance, and Coinbase Global stopped XRP trades last year to avoid the possible legal issues. The minute these exchanges reboot their XRP trades, investors will push up a year’s worth of frustration and demand. That is on top of the general cryptocurrency market return, which should get traction in 2022.

More good news?

First, The Ripple CEO, Brad Garlinghouse, is look at 2022 for the conclusion to the SEC drama, and that is his worst-case scenario.

And it’s not just him predicting it. In late Dec., crypto lawyer Jeremy Hogan tweeted that the SEC’s case against Ripple should be done by April.

Meanwhile, the Ripple system is finding fresh real-world use cases globally. The largest bank in Morocco signed up with the RippleNet blockchain network on Wed., for example. Spanish mega-bank Banco Santander joined the network during the summer of 2020 and has created its own international payment services founded on RippleNet and XRP. You will also find American household names like American Express and Bank of America on RippleNet’s customer list, though their connection is on the back burner until the government case is over.

My point is, XRP has good value even if Americans are not allowed to use it — and even more since domestic banks can make use of RippleNet to power frictionless global payments. Take that turbo-powered engine and add in a widely expected rebound in 2022, and you have a recipe for exceptional XRP profits.

Author: Scott Dowdy

MILLIONS of senior citizens will receive social security checks in the amount of $1,657 this week.

The 5.9 percent adjustment of cost-of-living boost means that retirees will receive an increased payment.

Retired workers will receive $92 more than they have in the past, bringing their monthly benefit check to $1,657.

People who were born between the 11th and 20th will receive their SS check this week.

And those born after the 20th can expect to get their payments on Jan. 26.

The next checks coming for retirees born between the 1st and 10th of the month will be sent out on Wednesday, Feb. 9.

The maximum benefit amount this year is $4,194.

To get that amount, you have to earn six-figures throughout your entire career, work a minimum of 35 years, and delay your claim.

Social security recipients should have already received a letter that explains the new COLA increase.

If Americans don’t receive their check on the expected arrival date, they should contact the SSA after waiting three extra mailing days.

The SSA lets beneficiaries receive their checks monthly and seniors can’t withdraw their money as a total lump sum.

But retirees who have separate retirement savings accounts such as a 401 (k) could take out more money if they would like to do so.

The 5.9 percent increase is the biggest COLA increase in the past 40 years. Last year, benefits were increased by just 1.3 percent.

The increase comes as crippling inflation is continuing to affect consumers.

Benefits increased by about 5.8 percent during 2009, but the adjustment was zero in the years after that.

Some beneficiaries have been concerned that despite the extra cash, the payments won’t be able to cover the high costs of inflation.

One person posted a tweet saying: “Ya, I received a whole 30$ increase to my check, that will help with the higher cost of everything lol.”

Another commented: “My SS check only went up $52 that does not even help cover my gas bill.”

If recipients believe their SS check might have been stolen, then they will need to contact the SSA office immediately.

Author: Blake Ambrose

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