Welcome. Today’s independent commentary cuts through the noise to bring you the perspectives that matter. Here are the core topics I am analyzing today: 

• Montana SOS Subpoenaed
• Most Expensive Labor Day
• Government Corruption
• One More Thing

MONTANA SOS SUBPOENAED: 

Lee Newspapers is reporting that a bipartisan group of lawmakers on Wednesday subpoenaed Montana’s Republican Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen for information she turned over to the Trump administration, particularly the voter data that the secretary’s office has shielded from public view. 

The State Administration and Veterans’ Affairs Committee voted 10-1 to subpoena Jacobsen. 

I am very interested to know what information was turned over to the Trump administration. Given the way Republicans are eating their own in Montana, the 10-1 vote was not really a surprise. 

MOST EXPENSIVE LABOR DAY:

GasBuddy, North America’s trusted fuel savings platform for more than 25 years, has released its annual Labor Day gas price forecast, predicting that average gas prices on the last summer holiday weekend of 2026 will be $4.03 per gallon, 87 cents higher than in 2025, and the highest Labor Day price at the pump on record in nominal terms, surpassing the previous record of $3.83/gal in 2012. 

It was also reported that while it will be the most expensive Labor Day weekend on record, prices remain volatile amid geopolitical tensions that have disrupted global oil and refined product markets. Conflict involving Iran has threatened traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical corridor for the world’s crude oil, while drone strikes on Russian refineries have reduced refining capacity abroad, tightening worldwide supplies of gasoline, diesel and jet fuel. 

We can thank President Donald Trump for “the most expensive Labor Day weekend on record.” 

GOVERNMENT CORRUPTION:

A Gallup survey finds that Americans’ perceptions of government corruption in the U.S. are at their highest level in 20 years, with 89% of U.S. adults saying it is widespread. That figure is up 10 percentage points from last year and well above readings in the 72% to 79% range between 2010 and 2025. 

I feel that widespread public distrust in government stems directly from systemic flaws. Today, wealthy donors enjoy unparalleled access to elected officials, leaving the average citizen pushed to the sidelines. This inequality is supercharged by the flood of untraceable dark money flowing into political campaigns without a shred of transparency.

Read the complete survey from Gallup HERE.

ONE MORE THING:

A newscaster interviewing President Donald Trump asks, “Of the 15,000 lies you have told the public while in office, which one is your favorite?”

Trump’s face reddens, and he answers, “I don’t lie!” 

The newscaster smiles and says, “Yeah, that’s my favorite one too.” (Source)

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